THE future of a vital lunch club for elderly people in Fareham hangs in the balance unless volunteers step forward to take up the reins.

Fareham Lunch Club, which meets in the Methodist Church, Kings Road, desperately needs a leader and three cooks to safeguard its future.

It is currently being run by members of umbrella organisation Club Hampshire but needs its own dedicated staff.

Beattie Payne, from Club Hampshire, said: "It is an essential service. Most people who come here live on their own so they are lonely.

"They look forward to the sessions and enjoy them very much. They enjoy eating out and not having to prepare a meal themselves."

The club, which was formed last year, meets on the first and third Tuesday of every month between 11am and 2pm. Currently about 25 people use it.

Nora Rawcliffe, 84, who attends the club, said: "It is important to me because I like going to meet other people. I live on my own and it's nice to get out and meet friends.

"If the club closes I would just sit indoors watching TV and be bored to tears."

Mrs Payne added: "We take everybody, young or old. We have got a man in his early thirties. He lives alone and heard about us and asked if he could come along.

"We have also got a man who is blind who comes along. We help him with his dinner and arrange transport to and from the club. We provide transport for anyone who wants it."

If you can spare time between 9am and 2pm twice a month then please call Mrs Payne on 01329 236512.