AN organisation established to represent the business community in New Milton has folded due to a lack of support.

A crisis meeting of the New Milton and District Chamber of Commerce attracted only four people despite 250 invitatons being sent out.

Businesses in the town were urged to have pride in New Milton but they did not show any interest.

Chairman for the past two years, Lio Balland, 37, told the Daily Echo: "We revived the chamber three years ago and at the beginning a lot of people wanted to do something. But for the last two years it has only been two or three people doing all the work.

"When only four members, who were all on the committee, turned up to the last meeting we took this decision. We had to put the key under the door.

"It's three years of work but nobody in the town wants to spend any time or effort."

Frenchman Mr Balland, who works in the catering trade, is so fed-up that he is leaving New Milton later this year.

After five years in the town, he said: "New Milton is pushing me away. I worked very hard for the town and I wonder why I did. I am sad to see the chamber going but I will be glad to be gone."

Mr Balland, who is unsure whet-her he will stay in the UK, said that there were 1,200 local businesses on the chamber's database.

All 40 members of the chamber have been refunded their subscription fees.

They will continue to benefit from services offered by Southampton Chamber of Commerce, to which New Milton was affiliated, until the end of the year.

Funds of about £100 will be given to the town council towards their Christmas decorations.

In a letter to Mr Balland, Goff Beck, Mayor of New Milton, wrote: "May I thank you, and your colleagues, for your valiant attempts to create and organise an association to provide a platform for the businesses of New Milton to work together for the benefit of those businesses and New Milton itself.

"I am sorry that it has not been possible to continue and I wish you well in your future endeavours."