A CHARITY store boss has hit out at Government cuts which are forcing the organisation to close.

Fred Milligan, 78, the boss and founder of Blackburn with Darwen Churches Action furniture store in Chapel Street, Blackburn, said the closure was ‘devastating’.

Every year the organisation costs £240,000 to run.

But it has now seen its £50,000 Blackburn with Darwen Council funding axed and has lost £65,000 of training funding.

The charity was set up 16 years ago and recycles and repairs old furniture to give to people on low incomes.

It helped 1,500 families last year and 56 trainees went on to gain full-time jobs from its workshop.

Mr Milligan said: “It breaks my heart to do this but there is nothing else we can do other than close down.

“I am certain many other charities in this area will go the same way.

"It is impossible to survive when so many core sources of funding have gone.”

He said he now fears that fly-tipping will increase, costing more in clear-up operations and waste collections.

Mr Milligan said: “Last year we made 3,119 collections and next week we have to stop.

“It beggars belief that the council cannot see what is going to happen if people will not pay their charges for bulky household collections.

“We could see back streets littered with furniture.”

The charity will continue on a smaller scale as Darwen Furniture Store in Kay Street, Darwen.