A lottery funding bid is set to be launched to help a Walsall senior citizens group secure a permanent home.

Cash is being sought for a new Sons of Rest building after the old dilapidated block was forced to close more than a year ago.

Members of the Leamore Park Senior Citizens were forced to find temporary accommodation and meet at the Pavilion in the Park on Mondays from 1pm to 3pm.

A new headquarters was mooted four years ago but failed to materialise.

Now talks have taken place between the Friends of Leamore Park and Walsall Council and now funding could now be pursued through the lottery.

Graham Hood, Walsall Council head of greenspaces, said: “I met with members of the Friends of Leamore Park group and they said they were interested in pursuing lottery funding for a building that could be used by the Sons of Rest.

“I was able to advise them about the criteria they need to satisfy in the preparation of such a bid including community consultation, the sustainability of the proposed centre and the preparation of a business plan.

“I also assured them that the council would support and assist them in their bid as it does for a number of groups and organisations in the borough.”