A community centre is launching a desperate campaign to raise £500,000 to safeguard its future.

Based at Kingswood Community Centre, in Clay Hill Road, Basildon, since 1959, the Kingswood Community Association has been forced to relocate because it is not possible to make the building wheelchair-friendly.

Visitors have to use two flights of stairs to get in and out, which makes it impossible for wheelchair users. It has not been possible to install lifts or ramps.

Councillors have agreed the association can move to the nearby Kingswood Play Centre, which has good wheelchair access, but it needs to raise £500,000 to extend the building to make it big enough to cater for the clubs and societies which use the old centre.

Association chairman Ian Calkin said: "We desparately need the money. If we can't extend the new building, we will probably have to go somewhere else.

"However, we are a determined bunch and will not be beaten until we raise the money one way or another.

"We have exemption from disablity legislation for the old building at the moment, but that will not last for ever and we want the centre to be available to all sections of the community.

"Members of the senior citfor the old building at the moment, but that will not last for ever and we want the centre to be available to all sections of the community.

"Members of the senior citizens' club are dwindling because they cannot make it up the stairs."

A survey found the old centre needed a £25,000 revamp and even then would not have complied with the Disability Discrimination Act.

The association plans to apply for Lottery funding and other grants to secure the cash needed.

If it fails in its Lottery bid Mr Calkin said the committee will have to plan other fundraising to try to reach the total.

Currently, 180 families are registered with the association and the centre is used by a pre-school, dance schools, a karate club, table tennis club, pensioners and ladies club.

Terri Sargent, Tory cabinet member for community services, who has been working with the association, said: "This is a very proactive group looking at ways to bring this forward.

"They are trying to raise the money and we wish them all the luck in the world.

"The association does excellent work within the community and we will be doing all in our power to make sure that work continues to thrive in modern premises fit for task."

Wickford Community Association, which is based in Market Road, is also set to be relocated in the town.

New premises will be developed nearby as part of the Wickford town centre masterplan now being worked on.