A vital service for elderly and vulnerable residents in Tendring faces the axe unless new cash can be found to save it.

The Clacton and Ramsey befriending circles are run every month by the North East Essex Advocacy Teams for older people who live alone.

They have been staged for more than two years and attract more than 50 clients.

But lottery funding has come to an end and there is no money left to keep them going past this month.

Project manager Sue Greaves said it was a very sad start to the New Year for all those who attended the circles.

"The whole idea started with a befriending scheme which was supposed to give one to one befriending to lonely elderly people," she said.

"However, the demand was so great that more than 200 people contacted us and we just didn't have the volunteers to match the need."

The circles were then set up as an alternative so that people could get together in a group and they cost about £1,200 a year to run. Most of the money goes on transporting people in to the venue.

"They worked well because people would meet in a larger group and make more new friends," added Mrs Greaves.

Anyone who can help should contact Mrs Greaves on 01206 251516 or Mr Smith on 01255 425876.

Published Tuesday, January 7, 2003

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