Learning difficulties campaigners have slammed plans unveiled this week to delay the closure of long-stay hospitals by up to two years.

The government's 2001 learning difficulties white paper Valuing People set a deadline of April 2004 for the closure of all long-stay hospitals for people with learning difficulties. But this has now been extended to the end of March 2006.

David Congdon, head of external relations at learning difficulties charity Mencap, said the charity was "very disappointed" by the change.

Andrew Lee, director of national learning difficulties organisation People First, warned that the new deadline would allow "bad practice" in long-stay hospitals to continue, "which goes against everything that Valuing People stands for".

Social care minister Stephen Ladyman said the extended deadline was essential to ensure people still living in hospitals were found services and support that best suited their needs.