Parents and carers fear their disabled children could lose their jobs because of changes to Wrexham Council's work placement scheme.

Martin Grice, 35, who has Down's Syndrome, has learned invaluable life skills while working at the Alyn Waters Country Park cafe for 10 years.

But he is among 90 people with learning disabilities who could be affected as Wrexham Council reviews its Day and Work Opportunities programme.

The council is proposing to move work experience placements into the community, but Jackie Grice believes her son will find a new work environment challenging and fears he will not get proper supervision.

"It has given Martin structure to his life and the confidence to develop skills," said Jackie, from Bangor-on-Dee. "He had open heart surgery a couple of years ago and his concentration lapsed afterwards, but going to Alyn Waters really helped him as they are geared up to giving him the strategies to cope.

“We are now being told one-to-one support will be difficult to manage."

Wrexham Council's Adult Learning Disability Services has managed the scheme at venues like Alyn Waters and Coverall, the council's laundry and ironing service, but parents fear placements will be hard to come by elsewhere.

"The concern of many of the parents is "Where will they go?"," added Jackie. "If he can't get a placement and has to stay at home then he may withdraw into himself.

"Martin really enjoys the cafe and he has become a good baker, making scones which go down really well.

"Money has always been a big issue with him, but the staff spent time getting him to work on the till and there is the social side of it too.

"Many parents are worried about the future for our sons and daughters.”

Karen Hughes, from Holt, cares for her sister, Helen Hughes, 41, who also has Down's Syndrome.

She said: "Helen works at the cafe for three days a week. If she loses her job I would have to give up my work in order to look after her.

“She has worked there for more than 10 years and she loves it because it gives her independence."

Wrexham Council says it is undertaking a phased review of its Day and Work Opportunities programme as part of its Difficult Decisions 2018-2020 budget consultation and feedback and concerns will be put before the executive board before final decisions are made.

Cllr Joan Lowe, lead member for adult social care said: "We fully recognise the anxiety this review and any potential changes will cause for individuals and their families. Any changes that are brought forward will be managed sensitively with the people we support."

A meeting for parents and carers affected is being held on Thursday, May 10 at 7pm at The Bellevue Community Centre in Wrexham.