A Bristol charity for disabled adults has been chosen as a finalist for a national award recognising people working with multiple sclerosis sufferers.

Paul's Place in Coalpit Heath is one of two finalists for the Multiple Sclerosis (MS) Community of the Year Award by the MS Society.

The awards were created to recognise individuals and groups, professionals and volunteers from across the MS community, who are making a real difference to the lives of those affected by MS in the UK.

Judges looked for entries that clearly showed how the group's activities have improved services and impacted positively on people's lives in 2008 within the MS community.

Paul's Place provides a safe social environment for physically disabled adults, which helps them to be more independent.

People with MS account for about 25 per cent of the membership of the charity, which was set up 14 years ago to give disabled people a chance to socialise and learn new skills, and to help provide families and carers with some free time.

It is named after Paul Wilmott, one of the unit's founder members, who died shortly after the group was established.

The club opens five days a week, and more than 100 people attend.

One of the judges said: "Visiting Paul's Place is both inspiring and incredibly humbling. The centre is full of energy and it is clear with how much value and affection members are held."

The winners of the awards will be announced at a Gala Awards Lunch on May 1 at the Royal Garden Hotel, Kensington, London.