RELATIVES of adults with learning disabilities who have been left without essential day care and training, have hit out at what they see as bureaucratic bungling at County Hall.

Devizes Activity Centre, which provides activities for adults with both physical and learning disabilities, was given notice to quit its former home at London Road Youth and Community Centre because the centre was needed to teach pupils excluded from schools throughout the county.

The group was incensed that its needs were being ignored. It said it was left desperately trying to find alternative accommodation.

Member Dave Soar said the physically disabled users had managed to find themselves accommodation but adults with learning disabilities were "being shunted from pillar to post".

"They have had to meet at the Corn Exchange, the bowls club and the back room of a pub. It is very unsettling for them and the staff are under tremendous pressure.

"The county council knew three years ago the lease would be up on the London Road Centre but it has done nothing about finding alternative accommodation for them.

"These people can't speak for themselves and it is up to Social Services to do something about it."

The county council said it was in discussion with Wiltshire College about including premises for adults with learning disabilities in its proposals to rebuild Devizes College on the Devizes School campus.

But Vera Higham, whose 35-year-old daughter Rebecca has been attending Devizes Activity Centre for the past ten years, has received a letter this week saying the partnership link with Wiltshire College would not be happening.

Mrs Higham, 75, of Hartmoor Road, Devizes, said: "The county council has caved in too easily. It is now looking to move them into the Salvation Army Hall or New Park Street Clinic.

"Their computers and books are in storage and they can't get on with the remedial work they were engaged in.

"It makes you feel as if they are being picked on because they can't speak for themselves. "

Chris Chorley, the county's assistant director for mental health, said the council could have acted more quickly.

He said: "We are looking at more suitable temporary alternatives at the moment, but the important thing is finding a permanent alternative base.

"We are in far more positive position now than we were a month ago and are in discussion with three agencies in the Devizes area. We have now arranged for three laptop computers to be made available to the groups so that they can use their software again."