A DAY centre for elderly people is closing because of a lack of funding — leaving the pensioners who use it devastated.

The Little Lever Day Centre provides support for older people who are struggling to manage in their own homes.

Since 2001, it has provided hot meals, arts and crafts, outings and special events and a chance for older people to socialise.

But, from the end of the month, the day centre in Queen’s Avenue will cease to exist, which pensioners say is the end of their “great little community”.

Pearl Wicks, aged 80, of Breightmet, said: “I go every Wednesday and it is a wonderful social group.

“We are all devastated that our great little community is being split up. Two people who come are aged 100.”

Bolton Council opened the centre 11 years ago and it runs from 9am to 5pm Monday to Friday.

Every day, up to 25 older people can play bingo, meet friends over lunch and get help from staff with a range of issues. The local authority ran the centre until 2005 when it began paying Age UK to provide the services.

Between April last year and the end of March this year, Bolton Council paid Age UK £30,000 to run the centre, which has ramps, grab rails, wide doorways and disabled toilets.

Both Town Hall bosses and Age UK chiefs insist they are working to find alternative day centres for those who use the Little Lever facility.

A council spokesman said: “The contract we hold with Age UK is due to come to an end in March and, at the same time, the organisation has decided to cease providing a day centre service in Little Lever.

“Together with Age UK, we have been working closely with the people who use the day centre to find a suitable alternative and continue to work with the organisation on other projects in the borough.”

Some of those who attend the centre will be offered help attending similar facilities in Farnworth and Kearsley.

Linda Hilton, whose mother, Phyllis Crawford, attends the centre, said: “They are upset because no one asked them what they wanted to happen.

“It is a real shame that such an excellent centre is having to close.”

Age UK’s Bolton branch chief officer, Gareth Evans, said: “We have been pleased to deliver the service in Little Lever for the past seven years, but recognise the difficult position Bolton Council is in with regard to funding.

“We have been working closely with the council to make alternative arrangements, as appropriate, for the individuals affected.”