AN UNHAPPY Stourbridge mum has attacked Dudley Performing Arts following their decision to axe classes for young adults with special needs.

The plug was pulled on the Sweet Inspiration group, held at Sledmere Primary School in Dudley, after it was claimed it didn't bring enough money in.

Karis Lane, aged 25, who has cerebral palsy and Turner syndrome, had attended the Saturday classes and was "distraught" when she heard the news.

Her mother Karen said: "I'm really angry by the way the classes were cut and the manner in which we were informed.

"We were all called together after class two weeks ago and told what was happening, which I thought was really bad as some of the people involved have autism and have to be prepared for things like this.

"As a result, there were plenty of tears.

"It seems so unfair as other groups are continuing. But because it costs a bit more to run our group, then it seems we were the easiest to cut."

Councillor Ian Cooper, cabinet member for children's services, blamed government cuts for the closure and said: "The council simply can't afford to continue to subsidise this class.

"In an ideal world, we would of course continue to run this class, but attendance is regularly between around seven to 12 participants and does not bring in enough revenue to make the class sustainable."

But Mrs Lane disagreed, saying the sessions cost £5 per weeks so it was "not a case that we're getting something for nothing".

Stourbridge News:

Karis Lane showing a thumbs down to the closure with mum Karen.

She continued: "I'm told it would cost £200 a week to keep the Sweet Inspirations class open, so we'd need around 40 people attending every time to make it financially viable.

"That's never going to happen because you need smaller groups for special needs people, especially as many of them are in wheelchairs."

Mrs Lane, of Wrekin Drive, Wollescote added: "Karis absolutely craves the performing arts, they all loved the classes and it's going to be really difficult to find somewhere else to go and everyone is really upset.

"All my life, I've had to fight for Karis and it doesn't get any easier."

Cllr Cooper added: "We will continue to deliver music in all special schools across Dudley borough and will continue to look out for other potential funding streams which may enable us to run similar projects to Sweet Inspirations in the future."