An activity centre which provides a lifeline for hundreds of pensioners has been threatened with closure.

Colchester Council is proposing to close the town’s Abbots Activity Centre as part of a review of its services for older residents.

Under the review, the council is proposing investing more money in the Lion Walk activity centre in Colchester town centre and invest £20,000 a year to support new volunteer-run activity clubs around the borough.

But the suggestions – which will save £30,000 a year – have caused outrage among members who use the centre in Ladbrook Drive.

They have also been condemned by politicians, including Colchester’s former mayor Sonia Lewis who has supported the centre for more than 20 years.

Now the Essex County Standard has joined the fight to save Abbots Activity Centre from closure by launching a campaign petition, which states:

We, the undersigned, call on Colchester Borough Council to withdraw its proposal to close Abbots Activity Centre in Ladbrook Drive, Colchester, and to ensure funding is in place to keep the centre open.

To sign our petition, either post your name and address in the box below, or if you want to send your name and address by e-mail, then use the following e-mail address: ecs.letters@nqe.com

You can also post or send comments about the council's proposal to close Abbots Activity Centre.