ALMOST half the students at a centre for those with learning difficulties have been missing lessons - because they can't read new bus destination screens.

Adults at The Grove, a centre for people with learning difficulties in Kings Worthy, have had months of problems after Stagecoach removed the numbers from some of their bus routes.

It has meant some of them being unable to read the new screens, and regularly missing the number six bus to Kings Worthy as a result.

They said they had got used to recognising a number, but that the new screens just display the destination, The Spring'.

As a result, 40 per cent of pupils have been unable to attend classes.

Christine Brooker, 24, a student at The Grove, said: "Can't they just take the words off?

"I know the number six but if it's The Spring' it's not telling us anything. I think it's stupid.

"I just want it simple and I prefer the numbers back. It would make our lives a lot easier."

Edward Hodgson, commercial director of Stagecoach in Hampshire, said it was looking at ways of improving the destination screen, but that this would not involve displaying a number.

"It's part of a marketing effort that we have introduced for that bus service and we have found that by giving them a name rather than a number we have seen a rise in patronage.

"It's a question of getting a balance between those that use the service and the overall marketing value of trying to get as many people as possible to use the bus."

Jackie Porter, Hampshire county councillor for the Itchen Valley, said: "They have failed to address this problem and prefer to concentrate on their marketing, which I find very distressing.

"By their (the students) own admission they cannot drive a car, so they have to use this bus and it's taking away the one piece of independence they have.

"I am determined to stand up for people who do find it difficult to catch this bus."

Cllr Stanley Howell, city council representative for Kings Worthy, said: "If people like these at The Grove - which we owe a responsibility to - are being confused by the new destination screens, then something should be done and something done quickly."

Nobody from The Grove was available to comment on the problem.

A spokeswoman for Hampshire County Council said the decision to remove numbers from bus services in Winchester was taken entirely by Stagecoach.