A COMMUNITY centre which has helped thousands of people will be forced to close unless funding can be secured in the coming weeks.

Abergavenny Community Enterprise Partnership (ACE) has launched a petition in a bid to gain financial help, with current funding only supporting the centre until the end of October.

The centre needs to secure £5,000 by the end of October, which would then allow it to stay open until March.

Volunteers at the centre have been desperately trying to secure cash, but they are now reaching out to groups in the wider community for help to continue its services.

Norma Watkins, chairwoman of the community organisation, said: "We had a lady come in last week who heard about it and she said where is everybody going to go.

"It does beg the question, when last year we helped 4,200 people.

"If we have to close this community would be devastated."

The centre, which opened in 2013, is primarily based in Lansdown and Mardy, two of the most deprived areas of Abergavenny.

Volunteers at the centre run cooking courses for people with disabilities, a gardening group for people with mental health issues, sewing classes and an art group.

The centre in Hillcrest Road is open three days a week to offer advice and support to residents.

It also offers help and advice to people with drug problems, and other issues such as those looking for work.

Groups such as Gwent Drug and Alcohol Service, Citizens Advice Bureau and charity Parents Against Child Sexual Exploitation visit the centre.

The petition, signed by more than 120 people since its launch on Monday, states: "In this area there is a lack of services so ACE provides a hub where an approachable friendly service can be found, where there is an attempt any problem that comes in.

"We are accessible to anybody's needs and will help everyone who walks through the door."

Paul Matthews, chief executive of Monmouthshire County Council, said: "We have been involved with ACE for a long time and recognise the importance of the work it has done.

"The council is always open to considering requests for support and we will do so in this case."

View the petition at bit.ly/2iZuHIv.