CASH cuts have forced a Wirral charity to close some of its luncheon clubs for pensioners.

Senior citizens who regularly attend the clubs said they are "devastated."

AGE UK Wirral's clubs in Rodney Nelson Court, New Brighton; Methodist Church in Hoylake and Ridgeway School in Noctorum, have been closed down.

Greasby Methodist Luncheon Club also has been earmarked for the axe and will close on June 28.

The charity has organised lunch clubs across the borough since 1989, but says several factors forced a review of its operations including a fall in attendances and competition from pubs, cafes and restaurants.

Then in April, the organisation saw its funding from Wirral Council’s social services department reduced by £157,000.

The move is part of ongoing cost savings as the local authority attempts to reduce spending by £109m over the next three years.

As a result, Age UK Wirral says it was forced to review its services and impose major cuts.

Sylvia Yates, who attended one of the three now-closed clubs, said: "What makes a mockery of blaming low attendance for closure is the fact there was at least 38 senior citizens regularly at our club. We were all devastated by the news it must close.

"No one from Age UK has come to discuss the closures with us. No wonder they took the word ‘Concern’ out of their original title."

The charity's chief executive, Myrtle Lacey, said all lunch club members were given three weeks' notice of closures and invited to get in touch information about alternative arrangements.

Ms Lacey said: "We are bitterly disappointed that we have had to close any of our lunch clubs. We have exhausted all other options before taking this difficult decision.

"We have battled to minimise the effect of these cuts on direct services to older people, but unfortunately in some cases the closure of some activities has been unavoidable.

"We are pleased we have been able to preserve five of the clubs and will seek to source new funds to expand these activities in the future."

Ms Lacey appealed for businesses to step up to help save the clubs: "As a local independent charity, we are forced to rely on the goodwill and support of local people, companies and businesses to support our work.

"If anyone is able to sponsor one of our lunch clubs, we would be very interested in hearing from them."

Age UK Wirral clubs unaffected by the cuts are: Lawrence Deakin in St Anne's Street, St Saviour’s in Oxton Road, Epworth Grange in Park Road South, all in Birkenhead, Maritime Grange in Seacombe and the United Reform Church at West Kirby.

If you would like to help sponsor one of the lunch clubs, contact Age UK Wirral on 0151 649 1760.