There is no doubt that the John Darling Mall home in Hampshire is close to people’s hearts.

So much so that hundreds of people have signed a petition to stop social services bosses from closing it.

The home in Boyatt Wood provides vital respite care for physically disabled people and has been a major community facility for 30 years.

But now the future of the home is in severe doubt and it could be closed as Hampshire County councillors try to meet tough budget cuts.

A public consultation has been launched before any decision on the future of the home is taken.

It is now down to the campaigners and those over the last three decades who have used the facility to make sure they make their voices heard.

Social services bosses across the country face an unenviable task. As demand for their services continues to rise their budgets keep being squeezed.

Whatever the rights and wrongs of how we prioritise the spending of our council tax there is nothing much more emotive thanservices used by those who need social care.

While emotions surrounding John Darling Mall home are high it is vital that the public consultation is just that - and that all sides have their cases fully discussed.

Irrespective of the outcome that decision must be made detached from emotion and for the long term benefit of those who use it, as well as the entire community.