A DAY centre service for people with Alzheimer’s is to close after the charity behind the facility says it's no longer financially viable to run.

The day support service in Stokesley provides activities and support for those with the disease two days a week and respite for their carers.

But on September 30 the service on Town Close in Stokesley will close.

The Alzheimer’s Society says not enough people are using the service to ensure it can cover its running costs and the venue does not have enough capacity to increase the number of users.

The service rents its premises above Stokesley Library from the Town Close complex and has been in operation for more than 20 years. It operates with a group of long-standing volunteers and two paid staff, caring for eight Alzheimer's sufferers.

Gail Browne, Alzheimer’s Society operations manager for North Yorkshire, said: “After careful consideration Alzheimer’s Society in North Yorkshire regrets that we will no longer be providing Day Support in Stokesley from 30 September 2017.

“Alzheimer’s Society has been subsidising the day support service for a number of years, and it is no longer financially viable for the charity to continue to run this service.

"Unfortunately, we do not have capacity in our current venue to enable us to increase numbers to a level which ensures that we are able to cover the cost of running the service.

“We are committed to supporting people affected by the closure through this unsettling period and will be holding meetings with each individual and their carers to discuss alternative appropriate provision in the next few weeks.

“People concerned about ongoing support can call our office in Richmond on 01748-825817 or Alzheimer’s Society National Helpline on 0300 222 11 22. We are actively exploring all options that would enable the service to be retained and ongoing conversations with partner agencies are continuing to this end.”