A day centre in Hatfield has received a donation of almost £2,000 from a councillor to help keep it from closing.

County councillor Paul Zukowskyj donated £1,932 to Friendship House in Wellfield Close from his locality budget.

The centre provides a meeting place for elderly people in Welwyn Hatfield.

However, due to funding cuts, its future is currently hanging in the balance and it may have to close in the summer.

Lib Dem Cllr Zukowskyj, Hatfield South, said: “Its loss would be a tragedy.

“For the sake of a minimum wage salary, the borough council cut its funding and it is facing closure.”

Each county councillor has a £10,000 budget each year to share between worthy causes.

Members of the Labour and Conservative groups have also backed the centre.

MP Grant Shapps said: “It would be tragic if after all these years Friendship House is forced to close its doors, so I’ve been working to build local business support to see if we can pull the funds together to keep this much-loved centre open and giving something back to the community.”