A vital day centre for people with mental health problems is to resume its weekend services following huge uproar.

Cash to run the weekend services at Cottage Day Centre in Redoubt Road, Eastbourne, was withdrawn at the end of its five-year pilot run earlier this year.

The centre had to axe the service, leaving 97 people vulnerable with often no one to turn to.

It has been providing a five-day service for more than ten years.

The weekend service was funded by Eastbourne Downs Primary Care Group. Health bosses acknowledged the weekend service was useful but had to withdraw funding.

The decision provoked dismay among staff, clients and their families who said weekends was when sufferers were at their lowest, particularly with Christmas looming.

The centre has now been given a seven-day contract by East Sussex social services.

Day centre manager Brian Hilton said: "Everyone is delighted, especially the clients who have been campaigning on their own behalf.

"In all fairness, the care group kept the weekend service running for a couple more years than they agreed.

"It then decided to end it but no thought was given as to what the clients would do for an alternative."

Eastbourne's Tory MP Nigel Waterson said: "I've lobbied hard for this to happen and I'm pleased the service has come back into operation. The day centre does excellent work."