A VALUED voluntary group that works with the poorest people in society has not been given its annual council grant.

Justice and Peace has spent 17 years redistributing furniture, food and other essentials to the destitute.

But Halton council didn't grant it £4,900 from a budget of £355,000 because Justice and Peace didn't complete audit forms in time - even though the council requests help from Justice and Peace more than any other body.

Former councillor, retired policeman and Justice and Peace volunteer Maurice Craig said paperwork problems shouldn't mean funding cut is simply cut.

"I think there's times when your conscience and your decency should take over," he said.

"It doesn't appear as though the system has worked this time.

"Some of the cases Justice and Peace work with are heart-breaking - people with two or three months to live who are sent into the community to die. Someone has got to show them compassion and to get them some furniture if they need it. Justice and Peace are good people doing good work. And somebody has too be in their place if they are not there."

And Liberal Democrat councillor Trevor Higginson said: "I would ask that the council look again at this application.

"They should talk to the departments within the council that make use of Justice and Peace's services, like socials services, the tenants support scheme, housing and the mental health team."

Justice and Peace is run by husband and wife John and June Ridgeway.

They say the council failed to send them the paperwork they needed and cancelled the meeting dates that should have let them complete their audit.

Justice and Peace Volunteer Chris Roach said: "I think it's abominable the way John and June have been treated.

"They do this purely to help people - and the people they help are absolutely desperate.

"John and June have put a lot of their own resources into this work. I know June goes out on food runs for people at the weekend and she lends her microwave to people."

A spokesperson for Halton Council said: "Justice and Peace were one of four charities chosen by the Internal Audit service to assess voluntary sector funding and value for money.

"It is Halton Council's duty to make sure that public money is spent correctly in line with the conditions of the grant.

"Justice and Peace were the only organisation that did not comply with the Audit requirements."