Hundreds of pensioners were near to tears today when they learned they will lose a minibus service when funding for a vital Walsall service is pulled.

Around £100,000 a year is needed to operate the community group which includes a lifeline home visiting service and minibus for The Dartmouth Neighbourhood Forum.

The service, which takes pensioners shopping and to  doctors, incorporates Community Care Entertainments, which organises day trips and events such as dancing and swimming for about 260 pensioners.

When funding ends this month five staff, including the driver, will be made redundant.

Today users at The Cottage, Ryecoft Place, described the situation as “heartbreaking.” Jim Meerse, aged 68, of Dudley Fields, said: “I feel it is a sad day when people like us have got to be pushed about so money can be saved.

“Once again the pensioners and the disabled are being pushed to the back of the queue and are not being thought of at all. The people who run The Cottage and the volunteers do a grand job. They have a lot of time for us.  We think it stinks.”

Doris Titley, 73, of Ryecroft Place, said: “They have been trying to get funds for ages but have not been able to get enough. I will miss it because it is somewhere to go instead of me just sitting in my bungalow.”

The centre has run for more than two years funded by the Supporting People Commissioning Body, made up of the probation service, health service and Walsall Council. 

Council spokeswoman Hannah Sutcliffe said: “This organisation has received funding from various organisations.

The commissioning body was able, though, to extend this contract three times until September 2006. The organisation was aware funding was time-limited and would come to an end last year.” Blakenall Councillor Pete Smith has called for the council to save the service.