MALMESBURY Hospital League of Friends have given £2,740 to the Alzheimer's Society to cope with the extra demand following the closure of the day centre at Malmesbury Hospital.

The centre, which cared for patients with mental health problems, was closed earlier this year following a cost-cutting review by health chiefs.

Campaigners feared the closure would put more pressure on carers of patients with a mental illness. And since the closure the North Wiltshire branch of the society say they have a noticed an increase in demand for their

services. The society said the money would be used to fund greater support to the carers of people with dementia.

Care services manager Liz Brocklehurst said: "The hospital provided one or two days' respite for carers of people with dementia that they are not now getting."

The group provides fully trained staff to visit people who care for patients with dementia and allow them time off.

Now that the day care centre has closed a greater burden has been placed on carers who have turned to the society for help.

Ms Brocklehurst said: "Carers have to provide 24-hour support. We provide a few hours' help once or twice a week. We can't provide the same support as when the hospital was open."