Hartcliffe residents celebrated the 50th anniversary of their local community centre at the weekend.

For half a century the centre in Hareclive Road has been at the heart of the community, providing a venue for activities, socialising and fundraising.

On Saturday MP for Bristol South Dawn Primarolo, Lord Mayor Chris Davies and other dignitaries paid a visit, to unveil a memorial garden.

The garden, and a new plaque inside the club, are to remember dozens of members who have passed away over the years.

The ceremony was followed by an evening's entertainment, including a performance by singer Paul Savage, returning to the club after winning the Stars in their Eyes TV talent contest in 1992.

The walls of the centre have been decorated with photographs and cuttings from the last five decades, brought in by some of the 1,000-strong membership.

The centre is run by a team of around 15 volunteers and the club president is Ron Barry, who has been a member for 43 years.

Mr Barry, 61, said: "We hope people remember Saturday night for the next 50 years.

"Places like this bring the community together."

The club runs a range of activities throughout the week, catering for pensioners, the disabled, bingo players and amateur boxers.

But numbers are down from the peak membership of 2,000, so Mr Barry hopes to bring in a younger crowd.

He said: "Over the years a lot of the older ones have died but the younger ones haven't come forward They want to go to the nightclubs in town.

"The smoking ban has also affected us like all establishments.

"But the only way forward is to try and keep people coming in.

"One lady said to me, 'If this place ever shut, I've got no place to go'.

"I've negotiated another 25 years on the lease and the council have been helpful. Our ambition is to see the place still going in another 50 years."