POOLBROOK residents have given their support to the future of the Brookfarm Community Centre.

Around eight volunteers are needed to replace the current management committee members, who are retiring after ten years, and there were fears the centre would have to close if no-one stepped forward.

A meeting was held on Tuesday night to gauge interest from residents, following an open day three weeks ago at the centre, in Brook Farm Drive.

Fifteen people turned up for the meeting and committee chairman Derham Cook said it was an encouraging response.

He said: "Not a great number of people from the estate turned up, but it was good to see that other people were keen to be involved.

"Out of the people there and with the existing members, there is a possibility that the centre may be able to stay open."

Malvern Hills district councillor Clive Smith, the authority's spokesman for community wellbeing, welcomed the news, saying: "It's great to have good news at long last about the Brookfarm Centre.

"It sounds like they have now got the makings of a new group to carry on the good work that's been started by the current committee and it's good that the centre won't go to waste."

Mr Derham said that it would be necessary to hold another meeting to confirm the extent of people's commitment, before a new committee is formed.

The meeting will be held at the centre on Wednesday, October 29, at 7.30pm.