A support group for disabled people in Bridport will be closing after an unsuccessful search for a volunteer to run the club. 

One elderly user of the club speaking to the News said that the closure is "really sad" and it'll be "greatly missed."

Husband and wife, Pete and Sue Bowditch have been running Bridport Disabled Carers and Friends Club for thirty three years. 

Last year Pete was diagnosed with stage four liver and bowel cancer and the pair launched a desperate search for volunteers to take over running the club.

Other members were unable to take on the role due to medical reasons.

Unfortunately no-one has come forward to take over, meaning that the club will now close.

Pete said: "We have spent a year trying to find a replacement person to carry on but to no avail. Myself I am 78 years old and have a terminal illness. 

"Our funds of over £5335.88 will be donated to the Mountjoy School Beaminster as soon as possible. 

"The members of the club would like to thank all the people of Bridport for your continued support for many years."

The club would hold weekly meetings every Thursday at Vernons Court Community Room on South Street, Bridport.

It offered disabled people, as well as carers, friends and family members, the opportunity to call in for a chat or seek advice in a friendly environment.

The club always get together and have a Christmas lunch as well as a fish and chip lunch during the summer.

Paul Bowditch, 76 from Bridport, has a spinal injury and struggles to walk. He was one of the original founders of the group before his brother took over running it. 

He said: “It was very good, a lot of people used to come and have a chat with a cup of tea and a biscuit. We used to go on coach trips like to Weston-Super-Mare and other places. 

"I think it will be greatly missed. It got people out but now they've got nowhere to go. The cost of activities nowadays is also a problem as this was a free accessible service."

The original members used to attend a group in Weymouth but decided to create their own 30 years ago in Bridport due to the bus service coming to a halt.

He would regularly attend the service and said it offered a social hub for other disabled people who may feel isolated. 

Pete added: “It has been somewhere to go one morning a week to have a sensible chat with people with similar problems.

“There was no commitment, just something to get you out of the house, especially during the winter months."

Sue Bowditch added: "We are both gutted that we have had to closed the club we tried for over a year to find someone else to take over but without success.

"With our numbers getting smaller and Pete health deteriorating there was nothing we could do but close down. "