Angry volunteers say they will have to shut their community centre if Bradford Council fails to come up with half of its £50,000 running costs.

Marian Speight said the Greenwood Community Centre's future depended on a grant appeal to be announced at a community development committee meeting this Wednesday.

She said committee volunteers at the centre in Wood Lane, Swainhouse, were tired of battling to raise enough cash to pay for its five staff and overheads after the Council withdrew its grant two years ago.

The centre, the first in Bradford to offer after-school care for children, was given £16,000 by the Council's youth and community department last year to keep it afloat but volunteers still had to raise £36,000 to balance the books.

Mrs Speight, who was the centre's leader for 14 years and is now its chairman, said: "If we don't get adequate funding this time, we're closing. For years we've matched the Council's funding and we cut back and cut back but we can't do it anymore.

"We are prepared to raise £25,000 but the Council has got to meet us half way. We had an application for a community grant refused about three weeks ago which means we can't apply for lottery money. That's why we're appealing.

"If this centre closed, it would be a tragedy for the community. This a fantastic estate and there is no vandalism around here and yet we are penalised like this."

The centre, which has been open for 17 years, also offers a range of services including a youth club which opens three days a week, child holiday care, OAPs' tea mornings and sessions for people with disabilities.

A Bradford Council spokesman said the decision would be made on Wednesday and there would be no comment until then.

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