Times Series readers who took part in an online poll are overwhelmingly against plans to slash after school activities for disabled children.

A total of 97 per cent of people who voted in the survey disagree with Barnet Borough Council’s plans to cut subsidised places on “vital” schemes at Mapledown School, in Claredon Road, Cricklewood.

Money will be cut by £45,000 in the same year the authority opted to reduce its council tax income by £1.3m - making an annual saving of just £7.40 for residents on the lowest band.

Earlier this month, the council's Conservative leader Councillor Richard Cornelius said he believes the “average person on the street thinks it is fair”.

But Kristine Canavan, whose son, Liam, goes to the school, said: “This proves my point. It just goes to show people do care about this, which is amazing. Cornelius was wrong.

“Taking away from these people is a very short sighted thing to do. This is not the area to cut funding.

“I hope we can all band together and make an impact. They’re toying with vulnerable people’s lives.”

Over 600 people have signed Ms Canavan’s petition to urge the authority to rethink their decision, which came into force on April 1.

Supporters have been left shocked by the plans, which have been branded “evil” and “disgraceful”.

The news comes in the same year the authority opted to lower its council tax income by £1.3million – making an annual saving of just £7.40 for residents on the lowest council tax band.

Hard-up families now face paying hundreds of pounds a week to keep their children on the programmes.

Sarah Sackman, Labour parliamentary candidate for Finchley and Golders Green, said: “I am supporting this campaign very strongly.

“The petition has concrete aims. We want the council to look again at the cuts it has made to its budget and reverse them.

“Secondly, we want to draw attention to the impact the public sector cuts are having on our community and the most vulnerable members. They need to look at the bigger picture.”

The Times Series is awaiting comment from Cllr Cornelius.