A CLUB for the over-60s in East Oxford met for the last time this week after dwindling numbers forced it to close.

East Oxford Senior Citizens' Club was launched more than 20 years ago, and at its height had up to 50 members meeting weekly to enjoy everything from mosaic-making to brewery tours.

But last year the membership fell to nine and organiser Jennie Amos decided it was time to call it a day.

Mrs Amos, 78, of Stockmore Street, said: "We've had to close it now because we have dwindled through folk dying down to nine.

"We did have a grant from Oxford City Council which was a great help, but they were not prepared to give a grant to nine people, which is fair enough."

Without the money to pay to hire speakers, and barely enough in the kitty to pay for their meeting place at East Oxford Community Centre, in Princes Street, Mrs Amos decided she could no longer run the club - and no one else wanted to take over.

She said: "None of us are getting any younger and we're not getting any new members. We've not had any new members for a long time so it isn't feasible to run any more."

Mrs Amos added she had many happy memories since she joined the club in 1991.

She said: "I feel very sad because the members have been so loyal. I can't imagine a better group."

A party was held on Tuesday to send the club out in style with current members and people who have been involved in the club in the past coming along.

Among those marking the occasion was widow Sheila McCluskey, from Littlemore - who, at 76, was the youngest member of the club.

She said: "It's been a lovely club and we're so upset that it's closing, but we found it so difficult to pay for the hall without the grant and we could not get any speakers.

"To be able to go out every Tuesday and meet with friends has really been a highlight and I just don't know what I'm going to do. I've loved it."

Mrs Amos added that members need not lose touch, and that the West Oxford Luncheon Club had invited them to come along and join them.