A ST ANNES charity luncheon club needs more diners to help it break even, organisers say.

Age Concern runs a club every Monday lunchtime at St Annes United Reformed Church, selling three course meals for £3.

The charity is stressing that the St George's Road club is not in danger of closing, but says it urgently needs more customers to help meet costs.

Rosie Jolly, chief officer of Age Concern's Lytham St Annes and Rural Fylde branch, explained: "We are a charity but we are also a business as well.

"We are not there to make a profit, but we want to break even.

"We have got the volunteers, we just need to increase the numbers."

As well as weekly room hire, the charity also pays for a qualified cook to cater for around 45 diners who attend the club each week.

"Volunteers are the lifeblood of Age Concern but when it comes to something like that you need a paid members of staff in place.

"It costs a lot of money to run the service but with a few more people it would make a difference."

Age Concern took over the club in May 2000, and the Fylde branch is keen to keep the club going.

"It's not just a lunch club it's much more.

"Very often it's the only time in the week where they actually go out and the one time of the week that they have contact with other people. If someone's not there for a couple of weeks it's noticed.

"As a charity we can actually do something about that.

"We do have the welfare of older people at heart."

Diner John Bradshaw, 67, praised the club, saying: "We could make a meal, or go to a caf, but it costs you more and when you're on a pension you have got to watch your money."

And 78-year-old Irene Fraser, herself a volunteer for more than 12 years at Age Concern's St Annes shop, said: "It makes you get out. I have been coming for about seven months.

"I come for the company and of course the meal is nice."

The club's ticket only Christmas dinner takes place on December 22, but the normal 'drop in' Monday luncheon clubs begin again on January 5.

Senior citizens living anywhere between Lytham, Pontins on Clifton Drive, St Annes and the outskirts of Preston, and their guests are urged to come along and boost numbers to keep the club going.

For more details call into Age Concern's office, St George's Road, St Annes (the office is open between Christmas and New Year on December 29, 30 and 31) or call 725563.