A CHURCH has angered an elderley community by increasing hall hire costs - which may result in the closure of a dining service many of them rely on.

The Hayes and Harlington Dining Centre is a charity which provides hot dinners and entertainment for people over 60 at the Harlington Baptist Church Hall three times a week.

However, the Harlington High Street-based organisation is now under threat because the church is putting its charges up from £7,200 to a whopping £16,500.

The dining club has been running for more than 60 years and organisers say for many of the older people using the service this is the only social interaction they get in the week.

Jeanne Smith, chairwoman of the club, said: "If we can't find somewhere else then we may have to close, and it would be devastating for the older people because this is their life-line. I just think it is unfair and unreasonable to expect a charity group to pay over £9,000 more than what it did in the previous year.

"We get an annual grant of £21,000 from the council, and if we pay this much for the hall hire then we are left with £4,500 for the year. You can't run an organisation in the 21st century on that, we have transport and insurance costs to consider.

"I understand that they have costs, but it can't mean we are expected to pay so much more."

Jack Edney, 88, a user of the club, said: "They don't seem to care about old people, if it closes down we won't get the dinners and there will be nowhere else for us to go. These people look forward to these three days, believe you me."

Frank Woodruff, 93, also a user of the service, said: "I think it's deplorable that older people will be hounded out on the basis of money - they will grow old one day too and it is going to affect all of us."

Linda Scott, wife of the Reverand Robert Scott of Harlington Baptist Church, said: "It is unfortunate that this is the result of the across-the-board rent increases which have been imposed on all licensees.

"We recognise the value of the service in the community and wish the Dining Centre every success in finding new accommodation."