JUST seven months ago Eastleigh Age Concern chiefs were warning that the charity's headquarters could be forced to close.

A wave of vandalism had hit the Victorian base in Romsey Road and the number of regular users had dropped to just a handful.

But after a three-month, £70,000 makeover which has transformed the building, hopes are now high that the organisation is about to write a new chapter in its history which stretches back to the mid 1940s.

The council's Eastleigh Local Area Committee made a £60,000 grant towards the work and mayor Councillor Glynn Davies-Dear was invited to officially declare the revamped facility open.

Before cutting a ceremonial ribbon, he said: "I have been looking forward to seeing the new facilities.

"Age Concern has done such a magnificent job for so long, but in poor and inadequate facilities. It is my hope that your job will be that little bit easier.

"I hope more people will be able to turn to you for the help that you so freely give."

Age Concern chairman Dennis Wilson said they had decided to hold a formal opening so that people could see what had happened and to thank those who enabled it to happen.

He added: "We wanted this to be a new beginning. We have struggled for a number of years with all sorts of problems - now we hope to go forward."

Hampshire County Council contributed £5,000 to the facelift which has seen the installation of a new heating system, burglar and fire alarm, entrance for the disabled, hallway, kitchen alterations and improvements to the car park.

Treasurer Derek Smithers says there are plans to extend the range of social, health and advice services and other activities and to add to the twice-weekly meetings of the All Day Club and the monthly dancing club.

Foot care and an audiology service for the hard of hearing are already up and running and an inaugural meeting for a local group of the University of the Third Age has been held.

Mr Smithers said: "It really is quite exciting. We have never had facilities like this before and there is a fresh air about it."