A struggling centre which has been the hub of community life for thousands of people over more than two decades is set to close its doors because of financial difficulties.

Wrose Community Centre in Wrose Road, Bradford, will shut next month because the committee that runs it can no longer find the funds to keep the dilapidated building open.

It has been a centre for elderly and vulnerable people, mothers and toddler groups, ladies clubs, bingo, keep fit and language classes among other groups.

However, chairman Beryl Holt said the centre had been forced to close after it was thrown into "overwhelming financial disarray" 18 months ago, leaving the current committee with a legacy of insurmountable problems.

Along with the Reverend Geoff Percival, Mrs Holt set up an interim management trust for the Wrose Community Association after the previous management committee was ousted in 2006.

It was discovered that the paperwork for the centre was in chaos and that it had been running at a loss, said Bradford Councillor Philip Thornton, who is now a management committee member.

Mrs Holt said: "I know people will be upset at this decision but we just cannot carry on in our current home anymore.

"I want to stress that this is not the end of the Wrose Community Association but the start of a new beginning. We are confident that we can rise again. We are already in talks with other potential partners in Wrose and might even move to a new site"

Mrs Holt paid tribute to the work of the existing committee members, local councillors and volunteers who have helped over more than 20 years.

She said: "People have been great and have really pulled together to keep the centre going. Some people have given many hours of their time, week in week out, so that the community could keep this facility.

"Wrose has a lot of little centres that are virtually providing the same thing. It would be much better if we could all put our heads together to work out what to do.

Councillor Phil Thornton (Lab, Windhill and Wrose), said: "This has been a very difficult time for the Centre and Beryl has been a tower of strength throughout that time. The community will now suffer a significant loss."

Councillor Vanda Greenwood (Lab, Windhill and Wrose) who also serves on the current management committee said: "The centre has experienced some turbulent times and it is a great shame for the community that it should come to this. We now have to look to the future."

David Jessop, chairman of Wrose Parish Council and associate member of the committee, said: "The Parish Council looks forward to working with the Community Centre to establish a new home. The people of Wrose deserve the best"