AGE UK Dudley has announced its popular activity centre for the over 50s is to close in December after losing its funding.

The popular Springboard centre, at The Waterfront in Brierley Hill, which offers an array of classes and activity sessions for the over 50s, had been running on cash from the Big Lottery Fund which had awarded £738,000 over six years.

But the centre failed to secure funding this time round and will be forced to pull the plug on its vast variety of activities which include exercise classes, Pilates, yoga, choir and drama sessions, ballroom dance classes, Stitch in Time sessions, art and craft classes, Zumba, photography classes, Book and a Cuppa sessions and many more.

Staff and volunteers, who deliver the project, say they are devastated they will have to close the centre and they are concerned about the impact its loss will have on more than 700 older people from across the borough who have made new friends, developed a more active lifestyle and learned new skills as a result of the activities offered.

Alison Pugh, acting Springboard co-ordinator, said: “It is with great sadness that Springboard, a much-loved service, has to close.

"Springboard has made a huge positive impact on people’s health and wellbeing in Dudley borough in its various forms since 2003.

"The time, commitment and dedication involved to build this success story should not be underestimated and sadly the closure will affect a lot of older people in the borough."

Mark Thomas, senior manager and deputy chief executive officer at AGE UK Dudley, said staff and volunteers at the centre had "lived in hope" they would secure funding this time round but he added: "We can't criticise the lottery - they've funded it for several years and we know in the current climate there's a lot of competition.

"We're grateful to the lottery for funding it until now."

Springboard's last activity will be its Christmas Party at the Copthorne Hotel, Brierley Hill, on Wednesday December 7.

Tickets, priced £15 per person, are still available on 01384 571830.