A MUCH-LOVED centre which gave carers respite shut yesterday following months of protests.

Earlsmoor in Brynmill, Swansea, closed its doors yesterday.

The move to close the facility followed a decision by Swansea Council's cabinet earlier this year to "transform respite care services in the city and make them fit for the expectations of users and potential".

Alternatives have now been put in place, including include "close-to-home respite care rooms" in Morriston and Bonymaen, with others in Sketty and Pontarddulais opening later in the year. Further respite care space at Rose Cross House will open this month with more to follow, and a new respite care apartment at Hazel Court is already open.

A spokesman for Swansea Council said: "Decommissioning Earlsmoor will take place over the next month, during which equipment will be re-used in other council residential care homes.

"After that, corporate property services in Swansea Council will look after the building until a decision is taken."