ALTON Community Centre has launched an appeal to help support the invaluable services it provides for all sections of the community.

Operation Donation is asking local businesses, organisations and individuals to consider making a donation, however small, to help community centre bosses meet a £45,000 shortfall in its budget, brought about by a reduction in grant funding and reflecting the difficulty of securing funds from other over-subscribed benefactors.

"Even £50 a year, if enough people would be prepared to do that, would make a big difference," said centre manager Maria Elliott.

For full story, see this week's Alton Herald.