After 17 years as the backbone of voluntary services in the town, the future of the Park Road South centre has been thrown into turmoil.

Now centre bosses say the situation is desperate.

Since opening in 1987, the centre has become an integral part of the town, providing 4,500 hours of services a year, for 1,000 people every week, ranging from assistance for teenage mums to watercolour classes.

But with overall running costs of £80,000 each year, the loss of the council's grant, almost a quarter of the total figure, could spell the end, if alternative funding is not found.

A spokesman for Newton Community Centre said: "We are obviously deeply concerned about the long term future of the centre.

"And while we appreciate past support from the council, we are faced with a desperate situation."

While the centre will stay open in the short term, reserve funds are fast depleting.

The spokesman added: "We would be grateful to hear from anyone who can give us any funding. It is a possibility we have to face that, if we don't get financial help, the centre will have to close."

Clr Suzanne Knight, who has vowed to fight for its survival, described the building as the 'heart and soul of this community'.

Labour councillor Leon McGuire said: "Its an unfortunate situation that the money is simply not available in the council's budget.

"Newton Community Centre is a huge service in the area and everything must be done to save it."

St Helens Council confirmed the annual £18,500 grant that it provides for a full-time worker at the centre had been cut.

A council spokesman said: "The centre has known, since the best value review of 2002, that funding would cease when the council agreed a major review of its youth and community provision after consulting with many people, including young people.

"The new strategy involves putting people into communities to work with local people to help them meet their needs and aspirations.

"The council will continue to work with the centre to help it to access other funding.

"And to this end the centre has been included within a bid to the north west Coalfields Communities Campaign to support community centres in the borough."

The centre has been promised £20,000 by housing company Ravenhead Renaissance, but this is yet to be received.

If you can help with funding, call the community centre on 224731.

l Let us know what you think of the community centre - and the possibility of it closing. E-mail us at becky

kelly@guardiangrp.co.uk.

THREAT TO HEART OF A COMMUNITY