An Aberdeenshire centre for adults with disabilities is to be mothballed amid a shake-up of services in the area.
The council has confirmed it will close the Harlaw Centre in Inverurie because of the high costs of running the dilapidated building.
The local authority claims the move will also bring its day services into line with national policy.
About 25% of people who use adult day services in the Garioch area require the kind of support currently on offer at Harlaw Centre.
Aberdeenshire Council has said this assistance will now be offered at other local authority facilities in the area, such as the Pitscurry Environmental Project in Pitcaple.
Service users, family carers and the community have already been consulted on the closure, which will take place in a phased process over the next year.
Karen Clark, the council’s social work and housing convener, said: “The Harlaw building is no longer suitable for day care services.
“We will continue to support adults in locations closer to where they live and in mainstream community settings, reducing social isolation and segregation of people with disabilities in the community.
“In addition, the health and social care transitional leadership group has awarded £130,000 for a project which will develop integrated outreach support to adults with disabilities in the community so they can get the health and social care support they need in a location which suits them, rather than having to travel to a centre.”
Inverurie and District councillor Bryan Stuart welcomed the decision.
He said: “It is vitally important that we ensure our service users receive the best possible care and service.
“Many of the services that are offered through the Harlaw Centre have already moved to more suitable accommodation and it is important that everyone enjoys the same high standards.
“Aberdeenshire Council are working very closely with other partners involved with the Harlaw Centre, such as the Aberdeenshire North Foodbank, so that these organisations also have appropriate facilities.”