A CHARITY which provides respite care for people with disabilities has announced it is stopping the service – leaving users “heartbroken.”

The Barn at Holton Lee has provided short-stay residential accommodation since 1996 when it was opened by the Princess Royal.

But from March, the East Holton Charity will withdraw that service “for the immediate future”.

Janice Watson from Poole, who has stayed there several times a year for the past five years and is visiting at the moment, said those with her were “quite distraught about it.”

“It would be a disaster for it to go. It means so much to so many people and their partners to have respite away.

“The lovely countryside, the lovely staff – I look forward to it so much,” she said. “It’s heartbreaking.”

Her husband and carer Dave said: “It’s kept our marriage together, basically. It gives us both a break.”

Trustees made the decision last week, citing low occupancy rates since The Barn reopened in 2007 following an update and extension.

In a statement, the charity said it was “no longer able to continue to subsidise these losses” but it would “review the current business model” with a view to relaunching in the future.

In the meantime, the Barn will be let to groups “whose aims are in line with those of Holton Lee” such as the Green Island Holiday Trust.

Nine full and part-time staff have been told their jobs are at risk.

Director Theresa Veith spoke of the “double impact” of the recession – the charity receiving fewer donations along with a reduced uptake of the service.

She said the rest of the work of the charity would continue, including the art gallery and studio, cottage garden and 350-acre estate.

She added: “We are committed to continuing our work to enable access and promote opportunities for disabled people to use the site and facilities.”