A BLIND old soldier, who relies on the help of voluntary workers to live a normal life, says he's afraid he won't be able to cope if plans to close a local support centre go ahead.

Cliff Benson, 90, of Howick Park Close, Penwortham, claims he would be stranded without the help of volunteers from Preston Guild Volunteer Bureau -- which has revealed plans to close if £36,000 worth of funding cannot be found by August this year.

The bureau's announcement has sent shock waves across some of the most vulnerable members of the community who rely on the Cannon Street centre which provides around 700 volunteers each year.

But, after being refused a grant from the Community Fund for the National Lottery, the bureau say their funds will dry up before the end of summer -- leaving the 130 charitable organisations on its books without vital support.

Helen Woodward, committee secretary at the bureau, said: "We wanted to extend the services by employing training and outreach workers, so we bid for £250,000 -- we were told the bid was all correct but there simply wasn't enough money for our grant."

If the move to close goes ahead people like Mr Benson, who was registered blind 16 years ago following a car accident, will be left without support.

With the help of bureau volunteers and those from Galloway's Society for the Blind -- which is also closing its residential home in Penwortham -- Mr Benson is given a chance to experience everyday things that would otherwise be denied to him because of his disability.

"If it wasn't for the time and dedication of volunteers I would be confined to these four walls," said the retired wagon driver. "I'd have no talking newspapers or books and I wouldn't be able to get out and about.

"It's bad enough that the residential home is closing -- where I get a cooked dinner, but I would be devastated if the volunteers stopped coming."

Mr Benson said the volunteers collect him in mini-buses and take him to luncheon clubs. He can attend classes and do sports like tandem cycling and hiking with the help of volunteers.

"It's a big slice of my life, a lot of people are going to suffer badly if the bureau stops. It will affect a huge number of people," Mr Benson added.

Charities like St Catherine's Hospice and Age Concern Preston and South Ribble also rely on the match-making service of the bureau which provides a heavy stream of skilled volunteers for all aspects of charity work.

Ellen Savage, volunteer co-ordinator at the hospice in Lostock Hall, said: "Without volunteers we wouldn't exist, the bureau is a lifeline for us."

So far the bureau has been successful in securing a fraction of the £36,000 from Lloyds TSB Foundation, which is on a 'match-funding basis' and will not be granted unless similar funds are forthcoming.

Christine Headley, committee chair of the bureau, said: "If we are forced to close, the organisations we support will lose one of their key sources of volunteers."

To contact the bureau call 884499.