IT SEEMS there is an odd disparity between the online Knutsford Guardian and the printed version. For in this week's on-line edition the meeting of Cheshire East Council was reported when the closure of respite services was discussed, and Mrs Charlotte Peters Rock presented her petition with 4,000 signatures on it against the closures.

However omitted from the printed version were Cllr Stewart Gardiner’s comments which are reported to have been against the reinstatement of simple supporting services for which the petition of 4,000 residents begged.

He then apparently went on to tell of 80 year olds needing a good social life. Quite what this statement has to do with the loss of respite services is unclear, but Cllr Gardiner does not seem to realise that many people in their 80s and 90s are almost incapable of going out.

Furthermore it is somewhat strange that in a constituency with so many older residents, that Cllr Gardiner does not appreciate why respite services are so vital. Surely he should be championing the needs of the less healthy members of his constituency.

Mabel Taylor Knutsford