A COLNE mental health project could shut its doors as early as next week due to a £20,000 funding shortfall.

Greenspace runs horticultural projects in Burnley and Colne.

But money from Lancashire County Council social services and the local Primary Care Trust is not enough to keep both schemes running.

Now, volunteers are frantically trying to find alternative funds but fear Colne's scheme will close.

Management committee member David Whalley said: "At the moment our only option is to close Colne and that could be closing as early as next week.

"We've known for about three or four weeks and we're desperately trying to get extra funding. The clients are very, very upset about it. They have been offered places at Burnley but a lot won't take them. It's a long way if you're not well. One of the problems is people don't feel they can travel or can't travel on public transport.

"The project gives people a sense of belonging, they socialise when they're there and the other thing with it being a gardening project is that it's therapeutic."

Greenspace was founded 16 years ago and 28 people use the service in Colne. It has been granted £76,000 by social services and health bosses but needs £96,000.

The Colne in Bloom Committee was hoping to make use of the team for next year's competition and Pendle Council is looking at ways to help with the final £20,000.

Coun Dorothy Lord said: "I was on the bus with one of the clients the other day and he said 'if I didn't have Greenspace, I'd have nothing to get up for'. "

Pendle Council leader Alan Davies said talks will be held with the project's backers and the council will help with funding if it can.