CAMPAIGNERS bidding to save Bourne End’s day centre from closure are going public with their plans this month.

Two separate groups are competing to take over the Wakeman Road centre from Buckinghamshire County Council, and will stage public meetings in the village to explain their proposals.

Their formal bids are already being considered by the council, with a decision expected in May.

The 'Tardis SOS' group, made up of 15 volunteers, is led by villagers Peter Willingham JP and Gwen Thomas MBE.

They want to retain the current staff, but employ them through a new social enterprise, as well as bringing in third party providers.

The group formed in December after splitting away from The Friends of Bourne End Day Centre, which is led by Residents Association chairman Jim Penfold.

The Friends group wants to expand on the existing services and bring in care provider Fremantle Trust to replace the Red Cross.

Its members include parish, district and county councillors, as well as representatives from churches and doctors surgeries.

For both bids, much of the income would come from private users or those with personal care budgets provided by Bucks County Council. This is how the centre is currently run by the Red Cross.

The groups were formed after the council announced plans in 2010 to sell off the Wakeman Road facility, along with about 20 others in the county.

The proposal caused outrage in Bourne End, as villagers had raised £45,000 in the 1980s to help build the centre.

Tardis SOS will hold public meetings at Bourne End Library on Monday, April 23 at 3pm, Tuesday, April 24 at 7pm and Wednesday, April 25 at 10am.

The Friends of Bourne End Day Centre will hold their meeting in the community centre at 7.30pm on Thursday, April 26.