County's Age UK branch announces sudden closure

The charity said the decision was due to "a number of financial challenges"

The Staffordshire branch of a national charity which supports older people has announced it has closed due to a number of financial challenges.

Age UK Staffordshire said in a post on its website it had closed on Thursday 28 November after a decision was made by its board of trustees.

The organisation added that it had contacted everyone who would be affected by the situation, and was ensuring support continued for older people and their families in the area.

The BBC has contacted the charity for further comment.

According to the branch's official page on Facebook, the move included the closure of its charity shops in Longton and Stone.

The organisation provided day services for people in Cannock, Lichfield, South Staffordshire and Tamworth.

Councillor Duncan Walker, cabinet member for adult services at Stoke-on-Trent City Council, said the authority was saddened by the news.

The city council does not commission services from Age UK Staffordshire.

"We will support those affected to access alternative services and advice - and contact details for other providers is available on our website," he said.

He added the authority would also support staff affected by the news.

Jeremy Pert, cabinet member for health and social care at Staffordshire County Council, thanked the organisation for its work and said the council would work with Age UK to ensure a smooth transition to new arrangements.

"Our priority now is to ensure alternative arrangements are put in place for our service users who currently access day opportunities from Age UK Staffordshire," he said.