A SERVICE which is at "crisis point" because of a lack of funding could be set for a massive £500,000 windfall to keep it going.

Volunteer centres of the Hyndburn and Ribble Valley Council for Voluntary Services (CVS) are on the brink of closure after grants that keep the service going ran out.

In the past seven years workers at the volunteer centres have helped to find more than 5,000 volunteers for 495 charities and businesses.

And without the volunteer centres there to find helpers, there are fears that many local charities and support groups could struggle to continue. But now, after successfully completing three rounds of negotiations with officials at the Big Lottery Fund, staff are hoping for good news on their bid which could ensure survival for the service and the countless organisations which rely on it.

CVS officials have been told that they will find out if their application is successful in July.

Christine Fish, chief officer at the Hyndburn and Ribble Valley CVS, said the group was optimistic about the application.

She said: "Our last Lottery funding ended in March and since then we have been working hard to make sure that the voluntary centres remain open."

One member of staff has been made redundant and short-term funding deals have been secured which keep the centres, in Cannon Street, Accrington, and Swan Mews, Clitheroe, going until the autumn. Mrs Fish added: "It would be a disaster if the volunteer centres had to close. If this funding application fails we are going to have to have a major rethink about where we stand and the services we offer. It is very difficult to find the level of funding we are looking for."

Mrs Fish said each branch has to find its own funding and without the volunteers they provided many local groups would struggle to continue.

Dorothy McGregor, founder of Accrington homelessness charity Maundy Relief, said: "They provide a lot of support and information and help our fundraising.

"They are invaluable to us and provide a fantastic service."

Funds for Blackburn with Darwen CVS and Burnley, Pendle and Rossendale CVS are secure for the next year