A MENTAL health charity in Colne which is due to shut is appealing for a gardener to take on its allotment.

Green Space, a horticultural scheme based in Burnley, has not been given enough funding to keep its projects in Colne running next year.

Attempts to find an extra £20,000 have so far failed and charity staff now want somebody to take on Green Space's allotment in River Street. The charity also looks after a garden in Bank Street.

Support worker Liz Stooke, who has been made redundant, said: "Over the past 10 years the volunteers have made it into a fantastic terraced allotment.

"It's a lovely place. It's got a big summer house, a wildlife pond, big compost bays and about 24 beds.

"The people who come here with mental health problems have put a hell of a lot into it.

"I'd hate for it to be just left. It's their legacy.

"They've grown their own food on it over the last eight years. I would love it to be passed on to somebody who would take as much care of it as the guys here have."

Green Space, funded by Lancashire County Council social services and the local Primary Care Trust, will continue to operate in Burnley.

It was founded 16 years ago and 28 people use the service in Colne.

Mrs Stooke is currently ferrying volunteers to Burnley but many have dropped out of the scheme because it is too far to travel.

She added: "A lot of people aren't going to come any more.

"For people with mental health problems, one of the big problems they hate is change.

"This has been some sort of stability for them for some time."

Anyone who wants to find out more about taking on Green Space's allotment in Colne should contact 01282 862711 or head office in Burnley on 01282 835164.