Abbots Activity Centre will close at the end of the month, it has been revealed.

Colchester Council plans to shut the over-50s centre on Monday, September 30, to coincide with membership expiry dates.

It hopes to run all activities until then, but says that will depend on availability and willingness of volunteers.

Outside groups and services will also be able to use the site until it closes at the end of the month.

Iris Thompson, one of the members who has been campaigning to keep the centre open, said: “We will try and keep to moral up. Everyone will try and carry on but it is going to be difficult.

“Everybody is trying to put on a brave face. We’re had a lot of tears and devastation.

“It is a lot of people’s life-lines gone.

“It is very heart rendering, not only for the members but for the staff as well.”

A spokesperson from the council said that no decision has been made on what should be done with the purpose-built building itself, which has flats above it.

See Friday's Gazette for the full story.