A LUNCHEON club for older residents on Canvey could be forced to close due to a lack of volunteers.

An urgent appeal has been launched by the charity Age Concern to recruit more people to run the Tuesday lunch service at the Paddocks Community Centre in Long Road.

Around 60 people on the island rely on the service for concessionary hot meals, particularly during the winter months, but if extra help is not found it could be forced to close for good after 15 years.

Dorothy Axford, who works for the charity, said: “We are really concerned about what could happen. We are in desperate need for new volunteers.

“We’ve been short-handed for a long time now, but it’s getting to the point where it’s too much for the people who already work for us. We’ve tried to recruit new people, but without success.

“A lot of people really rely on us, especially in the winter when it’s really cold. For some people, it’s the only day they get out to get a hot lunch and meet people.

“We’re so busy we even have a waiting list. If we cannot get more help, we could have to close the Tuesday club, which would be a real shame.”

Volunteers would need to be able to give up a few hours every Tuesday between around 9am or 10am and 2pm. Call 01268 515883.