A CASH crisis is threatening the future of a residents' association.

Officials at Farnworth Central Residents' Association have revealed they are struggling to pay the monthly rent to Bolton Council for their Queen Street base.

They claim they are the only residents' association in Bolton who do not pay nominal 'peppercorn' rents for their headquarters and fear the situation could force them to close.

The base, a former civil defence building dating back to 1940s and known locally as The Hut, is owned by a different Bolton Council department than the headquarters of other residents' associations in Bolton.

And Brenda Berry, association chairman, claims the other groups pay much lower rents.

Today, Mrs Berry called on Bolton Council to step in and help out, claiming the Farnworth community would suffer if the association had to close.

She said: "We are the longest tenants to stay in this building and actually pay the rent. It has always been the same from day one but it is getting harder to pay. If we do not find money soon then we will have to close.

"We are just surviving with our heads above the water and it would be a terrible shame to close."

The group moved to the building near Bolton's Age Concern centre three years ago.

The association offers a wide range of facilities and attractions for residents young and old every week. They pay rent of just under £300 per month. The Hut is also a focal point for residents to voice their concerns to the association at meetings.

Mrs Berry added: "We are the only residents' association to pay that amount of rent for our headquarters. A lot of the grants we receive get sucked up in the activities we run or running costs.

"We are looking for funding from the council and want to ask for their help. This is the only building around here which is suitable for our needs.

"We have tried a lot of fundraising activities but we never raise enough to help. It feels like we are banging our heads against a brick wall."

For details, contact Mrs Berry on 01204 709733.