BLOOD donors will still be able to donate at a leisure centre in Bracknell, despite having to relocate to another venue last week.

A donation session which was due to be held at Bracknell Leisure Centre, in Bagshot Road, last week but had to be moved to Bracknell Fire Station due to maintenance works at the centre.

Vicki George, 41, a regular blood donor, contacted The Bracknell News as she was concerned the move would be permanent.

She said: "The decision had been made to move to Bracknell Fire Station, but it was far from ideal.

"The firefighters had to make room inside the station, so all the engines were moved outside, and there was nowhere for donors to park. I was driving round and round and thankfully managed to find a space in a business park nearby.

"Obviously, I'm very grateful that the session was able to go ahead at the fire station, but something as simple as not finding a space to park can easily put some people off donating blood. They need to make it as easy as possible."

It was thought that the relocation had come about due to a dispute over hire fees at the leisure centre, but the centre's manager was quick to clear up any misunderstanding.

Mark O'Halloran, Everyone Active’s general manager at Bracknell Leisure Centre, said: “The blood donation sessions are continuing to run at the centre at the same times twice a month. Unfortunately a session did have to be cancelled last week to allow for essential maintenance works to be carried out in the area that the group meets. We apologise for any inconvenience this caused.

“When work starts on Bracknell Leisure Centre’s £2.8million refurbishment in the summer, the blood donation sessions will relocate. We are already in contact with the group about this and are working with them to find a suitable alternative, either elsewhere in the leisure centre or at another venue in the community.

“There are no plans to change the hire charges for the blood donation group.”