THE SWINDON Disability Resource Centre is preparing to close its doors at the end of this month after offering advice and support to disabled people for the past three years.

The centre, based in the Brunel Shopping Centre, is run by the Swindon Coalition of Disabled People and offers guidance on issues ranging from welfare rights to specialist equipment.

Staffed by volunteers, it has been surviving on donations since it failed to win a £150,000 National Lottery grant last June. It finally decided it had to close because the council would not grant it any funding.

This means one less organisation in Swindon to support disabled people, although they can make appointments for advice at Options Plus based at the Marshgate Industrial Estate, Stratton St Margaret.

Sharyn O'Byrne, who manages the centre, said: "We just have to say we did our best and we have to close. We have no choice anymore.

"All the volunteers are really upset but we can't keep going any longer and we have had no further offers of support."

She said the charity's management committee had met with members of Swindon Council's grants committee last week.

"Up and until last week we were still hoping but they gave us a definite no," she added.

The centre will be holding a farewell party on Friday, May 31, between 10am and 4pm.

Sharyn added: "We are inviting all our supporters and staff over the past three years just to say goodbye and thank you. You might not have heard about us while we were here but you'll damn well know we are going out."

Lindea Gawk, director and trustee of the Swindon Coalition of Disabled People, helps run the centre.

She said: "The resource centre is not going to die, we shall try to resurrect it.

"We have another project in the pipeline which at the moment we are calling Phoenix as per rising from the ashes of the old but we need to get the appropriate funding and suitable premises."

If anyone wants help they should contact the Disability Resource Centre on Swindon 422979 or Options Plus on 643966.