VOLUNTEERS are celebrating a decision by the town council to let them use a hall for free so they can keep running an activities club for the elderly.

The Borehamwood Drop-In, which meets on Tuesday mornings at Fairway Hall, was run by Age UK, which had said it could no longer afford to run sessions after Hertfordshire County Council reduced the amount of money it donated to the scheme.

Determined volunteers set about taking ownership of the club through a new management committee before funding dried up.

New chairman Hertsmere Borough Councillor Ann Harrison (Lab/Cowley Hill) said the decision by Elstree & Borehamwood Town Council to support the club at a meeting last night, had saved the club from closure.

She said: “It's great, it means we can carry on with our activities.”

The club, which serves around 30 elderly people in the town, organises live music, dancing, quizzes and tai-chi for its members.

Asked what the club means to members, Cllr Harrison said: “They get a chance to get out, meet their friends and socialise. There's quite a lot going on, but the biggest thing it provides is companionship.”

Town council leader Councillor Pat Strack (Con/Hillside) said: “Clubs such as this prevent isolation in the community and allow older people to get advice and find company in a friendly setting.”

Cllr Strack thanked the efforts of Cllr Harrison and volunteer Joe Goldberg, 81, of Allum Lane, for their important work in saving the club.

Mr Goldberg said: "We thank the town council for their help, but if it wasn't for the Government cuts in the first place it wouldn't have been needed."

The Borehamwood Drop-In will continue to run at the town council-owned Fairway Hall, on Tuesdays, from 10am to 12pm and is open to all residents.

An official launch party celebrating the club's new-found independence is now planned for July.