USERS of a Hampshire community centre once threatened with closure have celebrated its 20th anniversary thanks to a little help from the Daily Echo.

At the end of last year, the future looked bleak for Southampton's Lordswood Community Centre as the number of people walking through its doors dropped off.

With the threat of closure hanging over it, the Daily Echo ran an appeal for local volunteers to help manage the centre.

Now community groups and residents have celebrated its 20th anniversary with an official re-opening ceremony.

Centre committee member Chris Fraser was one of those who signed up to help breathe new life into the Sandpiper Road centre.

Despite living in the same road for the past ten years, it was only last year's publicity that pushed him to get involved.

He said: "When we saw the article it geared us up to do something. If it hadn't been for that I'm sure it would have closed and would have been lost for good."

Since December, the centre has gone from strength to strength with the number of bookings soaring. Alongside established playgroups, WI meetings and special events, dog training and martial arts classes are soon to be on offer.

But organisers want to make sure residents have their say over what goes on at the centre.

Chris said: "It's all taking off now and we are very positive. We want the community to see what's on offer and let us know what they want."

Anyone with ideas should contact the management committee on 023 8048 2938.