A day hospice service in Knowle has closed its doors to patients for the last time.

But it will be two weeks before people with cancer and other terminal illnesses in Bristol will be able to attend sessions to receive medical support and therapies.

St Peter's Hospice has announced that its Knowle site will close completely by the end of the year because it is no longer fit for purpose and the charity does not believe it is financially viable to keep using charitable funds to patch up the building.

The last day hospice sessions were held at the St Agnes Avenue site yesterday and the service will transfer to Brentry, but there will be a two-week wait for patients while they deep clean some of the furniture they are transferring from Knowle.

Patients have used the hospice as inpatients at the end of their life, for respite and as a day service since the charity moved in 29 years ago.

The day hospice is a chance for people with terminal illnesses to receive medical advice and have their symptoms monitored in a friendly environment alongside people in a similar position.

About 10 people attended the Knowle hospice each day for the medical support and to benefit from a range of therapies, including acupuncture, beauty therapies and activities such as arts and crafts.

Patient Ann Tooker, 65,of Fishponds, was at the last day hospice session in Knowle. She suffers with a lung condition called bronchiectasis, which leaves her prone to infection, and has been attending courses at St Peter's since December.

Mrs Tooker said that there was a gathering of patients and volunteers at the day hospice and people exchanged numbers because the transfer of services meant they would no longer attend on the same day.

She said: "It is all very sad. It doesn't matter how they try and justify the closure, and they have their reasons, we just want to try and help them see the positive aspect of keeping Knowle open. The closure is a source of great sadness for all of us.

"There were lots of tears there."

St Peter's Hospice chief executive Sandie Foxall-Smith said most people who used the day hospice at Knowle would be transferring to Brentry and most of the volunteer drivers who took them to sessions would continue to drive them.

She said: "Most people are transferring and are OK about it because it is a service they want to continue. It is about medical care, and they already travel to the Oncology Centre, BRI or Southmead for their treatment.

"About six out of 10 people who use the day hospice at Knowle can get to Brentry just as easily and they will be picked up by drivers as they did before we started all this.

"We have closed day hospices across the sites according to what is going on, whether it is swine flu or refurbishment. When that happens we look after our patients in exactly the same way through outreach work. There is always going to be the emotional tie to Knowle, but what we do is not about the building, it is about the care."

A petition has been set up by supporters of the hospice in Knowle who are trying to encourage the charity to keep it open. The online version, at www.ipetitions.com/petition/save- our-hospice has already been signed by 191 people and the Save Our Hospice group are urging more people to show hoe important the site is to them.