A group of charity stalwarts have called it a day after 37 years and after raising £400,000.

A committee of six volunteers who last year raised more than £50,000 for Arthritis Research have been forced to give up the charity work because of a lack of young blood.

Elizabeth Sharp, Arthritis Research Campaign's Bradford Branch Honorary Secretary, said the decision to fold had been reluctant but unavoidable.

Just last year the charity was chosen by former Lord Mayor of Bradford Councillor Irene Ellison-Wood to share funds from her civic appeal with Manorlands Hospice in Oxenhope. In total the charity got £40,000.

Mrs Sharp, of Menston, said: "At least we're going out in a blaze of glory and not with a whimper. Our team has been dwindling steadily over the last couple of years. In our heyday there were about 20 of us but now there's only six and we're all the wrong side of 70, most of us are victims of arthritis ourselves or have other health worries.

"There is no-one to take over. Our branch actually has about 200 members but because of the nature of the illness most of them are housebound and cannot get out and about to help us.

"No-one answers our pleas made over a long period of time for assistance and help in volunteering. Younger, more active people are active in other spheres and it is perhaps not cool to stand on draughty pavements for hours at a time hoping that someone will notice your collecting box."

A spokesman for Arthritis Research said the Bradford branch had been one of their best-performers and the charity was sad to see them go.

He said: "Over their 37 years they have raised more than £400,000, their efforts have been phenomenal. Sadly a lot of our branches are falling by the ways side at the moment because of similar reasons, people are getting on a bit.

"Times have changed and instead of rattling tins and running coffee mornings, people are supporting us in different ways such as joining in our treks or abseils. It's just a sign of the times that there have been big changes in the charity world."

And he added: "We will still have a regional appeal officer looking after fundraising in the area and if anyone wants to make contact they should try us first at the charity's headquarters."

Funds raised by the branch over the last four decades have gone towards research projects nationwide including schemes nearer to home in Bradford, Leeds and Huddersfield.

Coun Ellison-Wood said: "Arthritis won't go away until research can find a cure, I hope despite the branch closing, Bradford people will keep doing their bit to help the charity."

l To find out more about fundraising for the Arthritis Research Campaign, telephone the charity's headquarters on 01246 558033.