THE troubled Creative Living Centre in Prestwich has been thrown a cash lifeline which will enable it to stay open until September.

However, the centre in Bury New Road has had to reduce its opening hours for the second time since March.

The holistic centre -- for people suffering emotional distress and mental health problems -- has just received a welcome boost from the Mayor's Charity Fund.

Councillor Wilf Davison, who has just handed over his mayoral chains to Coun Barry Briggs, donated £2,500 to the centre after nominating it as one of his chosen charities.

The centre was also presented with a cheque on Tuesday from the Rotary Club of Prestwich and Whitefield as part of their annual charity donations.

As reported in the Guide in May, problems arose after the centre failed to secure funding from major sources for the next three years. A £10,000 grant was then made by the Greater Manchester Community Foundation to keep the centre running for a few months but on a reduced service.

Consequently, many staff members have been made redundant and the complementary therapies scaled down.

Sarah Berry, centre co-ordinator, said: "We are making the most of the limited resources available to us to provide a service that has the quality that members expect. Unfortunately, for the second time since March we have had to reduce the hours."

From being open five days a week from 10am to 4pm, the centre is now open from noon to 3pm on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday.

Classes and therapies will run as normal on the four days.

Ms Berry added: "We are very grateful to the community for supporting us and if it wasn't for the Community Foundation and the Mayor's cheque, the centre would have closed at the end of June. However, members are very angry and upset that the service is being reduced. It is their lifeline."