A DEMONSTRATION against the closure of a mental health drop-in centre in Ealing received Gladiatorial support last week.

Mike Harvey, better known as Bullitt from the TV show Gladiators, joined the protest held by Save Our Solace.

The centre is under threat of closure and the demonstration took place on Wednesday night outside Ealing Town Hall.

Mr Harvey said: “I believe it is important to have centres such as this, which offer support to people in the community with mental health issues.”

Campaigners argue that the savings the closure offer would quickly be replaced by hospital costs for those with mental health issues.

Centre user Gerald Crossley said they had welcomed the opportunity to explain to the council’s scrutiny panel what the service actually does and the strong support it has.

More than half of the centre's users suffer from paranoid schizophrenia. and the petition to prevent the closure currently has 945 signatures.

Mr Crossley said it was just the start and thanked people for their warm, positive support while they were petitioning.

The Solace Centre is based in Bowmans Close, off Northfield Avenue.