Day care protesters take action

Campaigners are angry at the cuts

Campaigners have staged a sit-in in protest over plans to cut places in a Bristol day care centre.

Around 10 protesters, some believed to be over 65 and some in wheelchairs, took part in the protest at the Lockleaze Day Centre on Friday evening.

The centre will reduce its capacity to 30 from more than 200, to help Bristol City Council save money.

The protesters are users of the centre, and some say they are prepared to stay put overnight.

Steve Norman, one of five protesters outside the centre, said: "We are protesting against the cuts. Some are prepared to go to the extreme."

When the decision was taken to reduce the centre's capacity last December, councillor Robin Moss said: "Less people are using these centres compared to a generation ago."

The council is facing a £17m overspend in its social services budget for the forthcoming financial year.