More than 500 people signed a petition in two hours, hoping to save a day centre for adults with learning disabilities.

Morley Tamblyn Lodge, in Liskeard, is threatened with closure by March next year.

Queues of people from across the area turned up to show their support outside Liskeard Post Office on Saturday morning.

'The response was fantastic and reflected the level of concern that exists throughout South East Cornwall,' said Jan Powell, the parent of a young person with a learning disability.

'Some had seen the Cornish Times' report and travelled to Liskeard just to sign the petition.

'We forget that people who use the service travel from all over the district to access MTL and I was struck by the number of friends of carers and users who responded and who had only positive views of the part it played in people's lives.'

The centre, which has been around for 30 years, is set to close under plans by Cornwall Council.

Some 540 people signed the petition, which is now in shops, in and around Liskeard, for people to sign.

The campaign by parents, carers and Mencap, supporting the 58 service users, is getting growing support from members of the public.

Bernice Lawson, whose son has attended MTL for 28 years, said: 'People were extremely concerned about the effect this is having on these most vulnerable people who cannot speak for themselves.

'I would like to give a huge vote of thanks to everyone who was there on the day who gave their time to help, all the people who signed and everyone who talked to us and expressed their concern for what is being done under the noses of the local residents.'