Jo Osorio, director of Age Concern Swindon, said: "Any reduction in our already very stretched budget would have a serious effect on the quality of life of hundreds if not thousands of older people in and around Swindon.

"There would be no grants to lunch clubs, and a cut in the provision of welfare benefits advice. Our ability to provide services to thousands of older people would be seriously reduced.

"Age Concern Swindon is naturally very concerned about the ability of older people to pay punitive council tax. But we are also conscious that the services we provide make a major contribution to the quality of life of older people. These help people stay happier and live longer in their own homes and reduce in the end the cost to the state."

Swindon Racial Equality Council provides advice and support on immigration and nationality issues for anyone who lives and works in Swindon.

Director Jaginder Bassi said: "If our grant was withdrawn, it would mean closure of the racial equality council. Even a small cut would mean redundancies and we would not be able to provide a service to the local community, at a time when the demands on our service are increasing."

Angela Davidson, chairwoman of the Broadgreen Breakfast Club, which has been providing breakfast for 25 to 40 rough sleepers and vulnerable people for 10 years, said: "Without the grant I don't think we would survive."

Jenni Manners, of Swindon Women's Refuge, said: "The vast majority of our grant covers salaries of staff who provide a 24-hour helpline to victims of domestic violence, long-term support and advice on an outreach basis, and support for our refuge, which accommodates 20 families.

"If our grant was cut it could lead to the loss of the helpline and reduced provision of services.

"The number of domestic murders could go up if women no longer had a refuge in which to shelter, which would in turn increase the police budget."

Annette Palmer, manager of the Children's Information Service, which provides advice to parents, said that its grant paid for a joint parent and toddler outreach project with the Pre-school Learning Alliance, and helped to fund parent and toddler groups.

"The groups are crucial for parents settling into a new area, and for children who need to meet others to develop their social skills," she said.

Major Dave Coates of Davis House, the Salvation Army shelter for rough sleepers in Turl Street, said: "Our grant goes towards the up-keep of the emergency unit, which provides direct access accommodation for homeless people.

"The Salvation Army depends on donations and grants, and if our grant was withdrawn it would have a devastating effect."