A DAY centre, which provides a vital lifeline for elderly people in Catshill and the surrounding area, will close if helpers do not come forward.

The community day centre, which is based in the hall of the Baptist Church on Milton Road, was set up to care for housebound elderly folk in the village and Bromsgrove district.

But now a lack of helpers could mean the centre has to shut down.

Elderly people come to the centre on Mondays and spend the day socialising and enjoy a hot lunch. Centre chairman Rev Neil Bennett said: "I think the elderly people would be heartbroken if the centre closes. Many of them really rely on the hot meal as well, particularly some of the elderly men."

The centre is looking for someone who can take over the supervisory role and who can fetch two members of the centre from Catshill village, and pick up the meals from Bromsgrove. Car travelling expenses can be claimed from social services.

Mr Bennett said that at the moment it looks like they could probably keep going through February but then they will have to close.

"There is a lot of focus on teenagers but with elderly people there is a real danger they might get overlooked," he added.

The centre is run by Churches Together in Catshill with Methodist Rev Malcolm Brookes, Anglican Rev Craig Smith and Baptist Rev Neil Bennett, who oversee the running of the centre and share the chairing of its management group.

If you can spare one day a week to help the group, phone Mr Bennett on 01527 570465, Angela Jones on 01527 876679, Rev Malcolm Brookes on 01527 876405 or Rev Craig Smith on 01527 579619.

kate.hughes@midlands.newsquest.co.uk