A charity is under threat after suffering two major blows in bids to secure vital funding.
The cash-strapped Basildon Community Resource Centre has launched an urgent appeal for help after pleas to Basildon Council and the National Lottery for money were rejected.
The centre - which offers invaluable advice to unemployed and homeless people - has asked about 1,200 businesses, trusts and people for help as part of its "help us or lose us" campaign.
Trustees are holding crisis talks over how to secure its future and the funding to save it from closure.
Chairman of trustees, councillor Geoffrey Buckenham, said: "I am very concerned at the financial situation. Obviously we are trying to work our way through this, but we are doing all in our power at the moment and can't see a great deal of light at the end of the tunnel."
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