A day centre where elderly people can enjoy a hot meal and make new friends is appealing for more volunteers to help it run smoothly.

The Halesworth Day Centre in London Road provides a lunch club for residents three times a week.

And everyone attending the club is picked up from their home, brought to the club and dropped off again afterwards, supported by volunteers.

Secretary and treasurer of the Day Centre Jean Macheath said: “The whole ethos here is the centre is run by volunteers.

“It’s organised by older people for older people and it is very well-supported by the people of the town.”

The centre serves around 30 people on a Tuesday, and 25 on a Friday, with another dozen invited to an informal Wednesday lunch.

It works in partnership with Halesworth Area Community Transport to provide a door to door service, aided by bus buddies who see passengers safely on and off the bus.

One of the regular volunteers is Lynne Trussler, who helps out in the kitchen as well as with general volunteering duties.

She said: “Every Tuesday I come in and go round and greet everyone and have a bit of a chat, dish up the dinners and generally have a tidy up.

“But I really like mixing with people.

“I retired and wanted something else to do with my time.

“I love meeting everyone and chatting to them and helping the Day Centre. It’s absolutely wonderful - I didn’t realise how brilliant it was until I came to help.”

And one of the many regulars at the Day Centre who appreciates the work of the volunteers is 87-year-old Mary Ray.

“I like getting my meals cooked for me,” she said. “And the social side is very nice. We come when we can, but most of us are regulars.

“It’s very relaxing, we’re well looked after and there’s a really good atmosphere.”

Waveney District Council will be closing its customer service office in the building at the end of the month.

But a council spokesman said the rest of the building would not be affected and that groups including the Day Centre lunch club would continue as normal.

If you could spare a few hours a week, call Dr Macheath on 01986 873172, or call the Day Centre on 01986 835838.