A day centre used by more than 100 people who have learning difficulties will close within weeks.

The Bush Resource and Activity Centre, in New Fosseway Road, Hengrove, is in the grounds of New Fosseway School.

The school is moving to the new Hartcliffe Campus in September this year and the council has decided to shut the Bush centre and sell the site.

Many of the users go there every weekday but will not have the same level of service in future.

Marcus Hanlin, who lives in Cranwell Grove, Whitchurch, with three other people with learning difficulties, has enjoyed the benefits of the Bush Centre for many years.

His father Derek said the centre has played a major part in his son's life and, with just weeks to go before it shuts, Marcus has still not been offered an alternative.

Derek Hanlin, who lives in Porth, Mid Glamorgan, has written to the city council with his concerns.

He said: "With this imminent closure of a first-class facility, my son, and all the other users who depended on a regular attendance at the Bush centre, will be facing a major disruption to their lives.

"As a 'caring, people-orientated local authority' I know that you will want to ensure that not one of the 108 people who use the Bush Centre will suffer in any way, or be left with out a similar or superior facility."

He is demanding to know why it is necessary to close the centre permanently, and if the land is to be sold will it be sold for housing or for social use.

He has also asked how many of the 108 users of the centre been offered the chance to attend a similar day centre and whether the council will ever replace the Bush centre.

Marcus had a meeting with a social worker on June 26 but has still not been offered an alternative day centre.

"The facility closes in a few weeks time; this shows a complete lack of any concern or forward planning," added Derek.

"Where are the overall plans, the grand design to provide the support that all these people are going to need?"

The city council has now written to people who use the Bush centre and their carers to say they will be contacted by a social worker who will tell them what services they can access.

People with high needs will be able to go to the Disabled Christian Fellowship centre in Knowle, where some buildings are being refurbished.

People who go to the Bush centre for respite care will be offered "an equivalent level of support in the community".

Some people in residential care go to the centre for daytime activities and the council is having talks with residential care providers to see if they can find alternatives in the community.

Those who attend the Bush as part of a programme of activities will be asked to consider what else they can do to meet their needs.