A VOLUNTARY group that provides an activities venue for people with learning difficulties in South Gloucestershire is set to move into a new home.

The Link Space project already operates once a week at Coniston Community Centre, Patchway, with some people travelling from as far away as Charfield, Yate and Thornbury to attend.

With as many as 36 people over the age of 18 turning up on a Tuesday evening, the group needed more space in order to expand.

Now a children's nursery attached to the community building has become vacant and it is to be transformed into a new home for the Link Space.

Once renovation work is complete, the group will be able to provide a large communal area with a pool table, kitchen for cookery classes and quiet rooms for relaxing and doing artwork, playing games and taking part in creative activities.

It will also be open much more - on four days and two evenings every week - with sessions costing £3.

Before then, a fund raising evening will be held to seek sponsorship from local businesses and individuals.

It will take place on Wednesday, February 19, at 6.30pm and will also allow anyone who wants to help get the building ready to come forward.

Caroline Poole, director of the Link Space project, said: "This is such an exciting opportunity for local people with learning difficulties – a place of their own to spend time, make friends and develop and which will become a real hub in the South West for people with learning difficulties."