Blind and partially-sighted people will lose a vital service if proposed cuts go ahead.

A home visit scheme that benefits 400 people in East Sussex could be slashed from the county council's budget.

The East Sussex Association for the Blind helps people maintain their independence.

The scheme, delivered by Homecall on behalf of East Sussex Vision Care (ESVC), is run with the help of more than 300 volunteers, who usually visit members each week.

Volunteers help with a range of tasks, such as paying bills, answering letters and attending appointments.

Budget proposals before East Sussex County Council's cabinet recommend an extra £7.7 million for social care services for adults next year. But the services are still likely to be hit hard by rising costs and the council says it needs to focus on those most in need.

Closure of the scheme, along with other cost-cutting in adult social care will provide savings of £4.4 million, which the department has pledged to reinvest in frontline community care services.

Bill Stephenson, chairman of ESVC, said: "We have to fight to keep the home visiting service going. It seems a false economy to cut this because, in the long-term, it is saving the county council money by helping people to remain in their own homes."

On Tuesday, The Argus reported that three day centres providing support for elderly people have been earmarked for closure.

More than 200 people who use the day centres in Eastbourne, Peacehaven and Rye have been told they will have to travel to other towns or drop out. The jobs of all 41 staff at Downlands Centre, Peacehaven, Pembury Road Centre, Eastbourne, and The Friary, Rye, are under threat.

The council has proposed to invest £100,000 across the areas served by these centres in developments with the voluntary sector. Any further savings would be invested in supporting people at home and paying for residential and nursing care.

A spokesman for the council said: "Increasing demand for our services means we are facing difficult choices.

"These proposals will be going to cabinet on Tuesday and the final decision will be taken at the full council meeting on February 21."

For more information, call Eastbourne Blind Society on 01323 729511, Hastings and Rother Voluntary Association for the Blind on 01424 853711 or East Sussex Association for the Blind on 01323 832252.