The association behind a bid to build a £500,000 community centre is in danger of folding unless more volunteers come forward.

Harwich and District Community Association could come to an end, according to secretary Joan Proctor.

She said it was becomingly increasing difficult to attract volunteers to meetings and last week's quarterly meeting could not go ahead because there were not enough people for a quorum.

Only 13 of the invited 50-plus invited turned up - the first time not enough had attended. Mrs Proctor has now appealed for more volunteers, fearing that if no-one comes forward the association could fold.

She said: "It is worrying, especially with the new hall. We don't want to get it built and then end up with no-one to run it. We know people want the place, but they don't seem to realise it takes people to run it.

"With the new building we are going to need another sub-committee because there's no way the same people can run both.

"You don't have to give up a lot of time."

The association was finally awarded a lottery grant to build the new community centre in Long Meadows, Dovercourt, last year after several failed attempts. It will replace an existing structure in need of repair.

Mrs Proctor said if people could not volunteer to help run the committee, help would be needed as the centre needed work like painting.

Anyone who would like to volunteer should ring 01255 506743

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