A MINEHEAD centre which has provided day care for the elderly for more than ten years has been saved from closure thanks to a local church.

The Parks Day Centre has been based at Minehead's Baptist Church hall but run by Somerset County Council.

However, funding cuts meant its doors were set to close at the end of December.

So church leaders have stepped in to take up the reins and ensure its future.

Baptist minister the Rev Andrew McCausland said the facility had now become a designated 'active living centre' and was open to anyone aged over 55.

And he said the church had agreed to take over the centre after being approached by the county council last year.

"They were looking for community involvement or volunteers to take it over," said Mr McCausland.

The council has agreed to contribute £15,000 a year towards running costs for the next three years and the church has also just received a £5,000 grant from the authority's Community Enablement Fund, which it set up to support communities and organisations at a local level.

Mr McCausland said the centre was currently staging two sessions a week, which together catered for almost 30 people.

People attending can take part in a range of activities and also enjoy lunch for £5 a session.

The church has appointed a part-time manager Wendy Hunt and part-time activities organiser Sally Horrobin.

"We are very enthusiastic about the future," said Mr McCausland.

"Previously, people came to the centre by way of referral but we will be operating an open door policy .

"People can still be referred or they can just come along themselves.

"Our concern is to look after people in body, mind and spirit.

"There is a real and growing need for dementia care and I think this is something we will be looking at in the future.

"This was a centre that really needed to continue and it is great that we have been able to take it over."

Cllr Brenda Maitland-Walker, who represents Minehead on the county council and made the application for the Community Enablement Fund grant, said she was delighted.

"It is great news that the Parks Day Centre will be continuing to provide day services for people in the local community under the management of Minehead Baptist Church," she said.

Photo: Steve Guscott