GLUSBURN Luncheon Club has served its last meal - unless a sponsor comes forward to help with the costs.

Volunteers of the luncheon club, which meets at the Glusburn Community and Arts Centre, have served hot meals for hundreds of elderly residents in the Cross Hills area for the past 35 years.

But that all came to an end yesterday lunchtime when approximately 24 over 60s enjoyed a Christmas meal.

"I think it's desperately sad situation," said Gill Birks, chairman of the trustees at Glusburn Community and Arts Centre. "There are a large number of people in Cross Hills who need facilities like this."

She said the service provided not only hot meals, but a social benefit to elderly people who could meet up on a regular basis.

However it had run into difficulties when North Yorkshire County Council changed the rules on subsidising the travel costs, which meant numbers dropped making it harder to cover overheads, and efforts to recruit volunteer cooks proved impossible.

Now, the trustees have decided to give up and close the service if further support is not forthcoming.

Mrs Birks said: "It's been difficult to break even."

She added that to keep the club going would require an annual revenue grant, an increase in the charge for a meal (it is currently £3.50) and new volunteers.

One-off grants from Glusburn and Cross Hills Parish Council and Craven District Council have helped in the past.

"A grant of £2,000 a year would enable us to employ someone to run it as a social enterprise," said Mrs Birks. "It's peanuts what we're asking for in comparison to the value to the community."

Research by the trustees has also revealed that to provide the service on a commercial basis would cost residents £7.50 a meal.

Mrs Birks also said that new teams of volunteers were needed because many of the current helpers were in their 70s and wanted to step down.

"The volunteer staff have given hundreds of hours of their time and energy into making this happen, and they've all done a great job," she said.

Mrs Birks said a team comprising one cook and four helpers was needed to cook and serve meals to the residents on a weekly basis, so establishing a rota with four different teams would be ideal.

If anyone can support the luncheon club in any way, they are encouraged to email ola@gicac.org.uk or ring 01535 630223 or 01535 634097.