Disappointed dads bid farewell to a father and child group axed by Richmond Council.

Dads Unlimited was a counselling and drop-in activity service held at the Stanley children and families centre, in Teddington, every Saturday morning for fathers and their children.

The group met for the last time on March 30, after Richmond Council decommissioned the service, which some fathers depended on to spend time with their children or work through family issues.

David McLean went to sessions with his two-year-old son and said it was invaluable to meet other fathers from all walks of life.

He said: “For some it’s almost the only place they can meet their children and if that’s going away they will go backwards in their family relationship.

“It’s disrespectful to people who depend on the service to see their children. It’s highly insensitive.”

The group of fathers said they were kept in the dark over the decision and had struggled to find information about alternative sessions.

Burgess Taylor recently moved to Teddington with his wife and two-year-old daughter, and said the group had been the only way for him to meet other fathers in the area.

He said: “The council just directs you to the Fatherhood Institute, which doesn’t run anything in our area.

“It’s very sad to be honest.”

Mr McLean said: “You can’t excuse no consultation or even talking to service users.

“We have all got different needs. They came to the conclusion that there was no need for a service for fathers.”

Councillor Stephen Knight said: “Dads Unlimited has been a highly valued service to many local dads and yet the council decided, behind closed doors, to decommission the service with no consultation or even explanation to the dads involved. “This is totally unacceptable and shows that the commissioning process is seriously flawed.

“As an opposition councillor I wasn't even told of this decision, let alone given any chance to question or scrutinise it.”

The council said the services offered by Dads Unlimited were not highlighted as priorities for the area during an annual commissioning review.

It said parents could access similar services in children’s centres or those delivered by CRI, the Fatherhood Institute and Relate.

The council said people could contact the family information service on 020 8831 6298 or fis@richmond.gov.uk.