A COMMUNITY centre has come to the rescue after a lunch club was axed by an older people’s charity.

Age UK Colchester stopped running its clubs earlier this year leaving about 25 regulars with nowhere to meet up.

But now the St John’s and Highwoods Community Centre has secured more than £1,000 to run the clubs. Heather Payne, who manages the centre, in Highwoods Square, agreed to take over the lunch clubs, which take place every Wednesday apart from the third week of the month, after securing £500 from St John’s borough councillors Paul Smith and Ray Gamble.

The centre also secured £600 from the Highwoods independent group, headed by Gerard Oxford. Mrs Payne said: “It’s great we have been able to pick up where Age UK Colchester left off.

“It means we can have the usual Christmas lunch and everyone will be able to take part.”

Each meeting costs £5. To find out more, contact Mrs Payne on 01206 853111.