A POPULAR annual fundraising carol service to fund Clacton’s Christmas Day lunch for the elderly has been saved.

Clacton Rotary Club has been staging the Community Carol Service at the Tendring Council-run Princes Theatre for 40 years.

The club was staggered to be told next year the council would expect it to pay to hire the venue for the first time.

The Tory council’s demand left Rotarians fearful the event, which buys the food elderly and lonely people are given at Clacton County High School at Christmas, might have to be scrapped.

However, West Cliff spokesman Mike Bareham confirmed the event would now be going ahead at the theatre, in Tower Road, next year.

He said: “The trustees of the West Cliff are delighted to welcome the carol service to the theatre.

They have agreed to sponsor the event, which will now be held without cost to the Rotary Club.

“Naturally, we are delighted it can now concentrate on raising funds to buy Christmas meals for the elderly and lonely on Christmas Day, rather than concern themselves with internal fundraising to cover venue costs.”