CUTS to funding at a residential care home which looks after middle-aged adults with learning disabilities are causing alarm for relatives.

Orchard Leigh Camphill Community care home in Eastington cares for a total of 18 residents with a range of learning disabilities.

It organises activities including bakery and craft workshops and also has a farm with cows and a smallholding they can work on.

Gloucestershire County Council has reduced funding to the home by almost 40 per cent since 2009 and with more cuts to follow, families have decided to take legal action.

Sarah Meidlinger, whose daughter attends Orchard Leigh, said: “Workshops are already dwindling,funding has not changed since 2009 and the staffing levels, which now are barely adequate, are set to be cut further with planned county council budget cuts.”

Along with other families, Ms Meidlinger is taking legal action against the council in a bid to reverse the latest funding cuts.

Philip Curwen, chairman of trustees at Orchard Leigh, said that while he did not agree with the decision to further reduce funding, the home would still be able to deliver ‘a safe and worthwhile service’.

“Neither the trustees nor the management team have concerns that people will be left unsupported or vulnerable,” he added.

Kathy Williams, cabinet member for long-term care at GCC said: “We are talking to the trustees and the families of residents at Orchard Leigh about reassessment but no decisions have been made. Regularly assessing the needs of people in our care across the county helps to ensure they get the right support at the right time, based on their individual situation.

“We are not aware of any legal action but are very willing to listen to any concerns which are raised.”