A charity which provides a lifeline to the disabled and elderly has been plunged into a cash crisis after failing to win a £400,000 lottery bid.
Colchester's Shopmobility and community transport schemes hoped to secure the cash to expand services.
But the plans have been poleaxed after a five-year funding bid was turned down by lottery chiefs.
"We are very disappointed," said Samantha Drummond, chief executive of Colchester Community Voluntary Services.
"When you get that sort of reaction it is pretty demoralising. Obviously we just have to get on with things and continue to operate our services."
The Shopmobility scheme provides wheelchairs and electric scooters to people with disabilities. About 400 people regularly use the facility.
Organisers hoped to expand the service from four days to six with lottery cash.
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