Volunteers are being asked to come forward to help an estate community office which is under threat.

A public meeting is being held tonight to discuss the future of the office, which serves the Bartram Avenue area in Braintree.

The office, which has been open for two years, is used by a number of groups for a spectrum of community services, including adult education, youth groups and advice centres run by the council as well as the police.

It is currently run by community group Upbeat, which fears lack of voluntary support will lead to its eventual closure.

Cornelius Coughlan (Lab, Braintree East) revealed he will be suggesting the possibility of getting funds to pay for someone to run the office full-time.

He said: "There has not been community support. It has got a lot of potential and it is essential we keep it going."

The meeting starts at 7pm at St Paul's Church Hall, Hay Lane, Braintree

Published Wednesday, June 25, 2003

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