BRIDGWATER councillors have this week appealed to the authorities to find the money needed to save a popular town community centre.

ReCreation in Hamp could close and the Information and Advice Centre could have its role reduced when Government funding ends on March 31.

When funding through the Regional Development Agency comes to an end, people living in the area could also lose the vital family services offered by Sure Start.

Cllr Brian Smedley has this week urged Sedgemoor District Council to find the cash to save the sites.

In a public appeal to the authority, he said: "I ask for your assurances that Sedgemoor, as the key backer for the Hamp Regeneration project over these years, will not shrink from its commitment to our ward.

"Sedgemoor District Council has a duty to ensure that the hard worked for achievements of the Hamp Community don't come crashing down due to this current financial crisis.

"When we set up the Hamp Community Association back in 1996 it was with the backing of many key partners but none so crucial as Sedgemoor.

"I would ask (Sedgemoor) to confirm they accept the continued need for public funding for disadvantaged areas such as Hamp."

Hamp has been rated the second most deprived area of Somerset and hundreds of people use the under-threat facilities each week.

And the pleas of councillors in the area were extended towards the Government, too.

Cllr Kathy Pearce has written to Labour's minister for communities, Phil Woolas, to ask him to visit the area to see the good work of the services - before it is too late.

In a letter addressed to the MP, Cllr Pearce said: "We need consistency and commitment to funding of essential services and allowing the democratic systems that exist within local government to effectively work alongside our local communities.

"We invite you to visit Hamp to see for yourself how the current method of funding services is threatening to undo very good work achieved over the past few years. "

Council spokesman Claire Faun said the authority would remain committed to helping Hamp just as it was when applying for and helping to manage the Government funding.

She said: "One of the benefits of community organisations running facilities is that they are able to apply for funding which is not available to statutory bodies like the council."