A VITAL service for disabled people is to close because of a shortage of funds.

Shirley Shopmobility could be axed as soon as February 25 unless a "knight in shining armour" can come up with the £15,000 a year it costs to run the service.

Scores of disabled people could be left unable to access shops and the library in a blow that has saddened accessibility campaigners.

Geoff Wilkinson, of disabled motorists' rights group the Blue Badge Network, said: "It's a very, sad loss for Shirley. A lot of people rely on that service and they simply won't be able to use the shops any more."

The district Shopmobility scheme, the first of its kind in Southampton outside the city centre, was set up less than a year ago with funding from the Outer Shirley Regeneration, Lloyds TSB and primary care trust grants.

It was forced to move three times due to redevelopment work taking place in Shirley and is currently located in Marlborough Road, opening only on Wednesdays and Fridays.

But even within a year, it has become a crucial service for scores of people.

In October, 31 people hired out one of the three scooters, electric wheelchair or two manual wheelchairs.

In November last year, 15 people made use of the service, and in December 37 people turned to Shirley Shopmobility for help with their Christmas shopping.

It has been described as a "lifeline" to people with mobility problems.

Yvonne Johnson, 62, has been suffering from emphysema for about five years and finds it difficult to walk more than five feet without having to stop for breath.

She said: "When I got the letter telling me the news I just cried.

"In the past couple of years my breathing has got really bad and hiring the scooters is the only way I can get about. Without the service I wouldn't have much of a life at all."

Shopmobility co-ordinator Sarah Baker said: "When we set it up it was a pilot project, the first in a Southampton district. All we were hoping was that it would prove the worth of the service.

"It has certainly done that - but unfortunately there isn't the money to take it on further. It is possible to get grants to start things up, but very difficult to attract money for ongoing costs of running the service.

"We have exhausted all the avenues of trying to find funding."

Can you help save Shirley Shopmobility? Contact Sarah Baker on 023 8063 1263.