A WEYMOUTH pensioner has stepped forward to help secure the future of a community centre described as 'an anchor' to local residents.

Ian Brooke, 80, volunteered to become Southill Community Centre's new chairman, taking on the role to ensure the club on Radipole Lane can keep going, amid concerns no-one else had stepped forward.

At a recent annual general meeting held at the centre, a committee for the club was formed and showed strong support for keeping the facility in the hands of the community. New roles were appointed - although a Treasurer and more volunteers are still needed.

Meanwhile, this is the second time Mr Brooke has been chairman of the Southill Community Centre since he moved to Weymouth around 20 years ago.

Mr Brooke - who has been at the helm of a long list of community groups and organisations over the years - had in fact been hoping for a well-earned rest. "But when something needs doing, and has to be done, I felt a certain amount of responsibility to the community and to the building itself, " he said, adding that the building is in "fairly good shape considering its age."

Concerns had been raised that the centre would have to close if nobody were to fill the vacant chairman role.

"Without we would be without an anchor - we have the shops, we have the pub - and we have the community centre," Mr Brooke commented.

The centre hosts a range of popular groups including Weymouth Art Group, which attracts members from other parts of Weymouth who come because they enjoy "the ambience and social side of things" as well as learning something new.

Other groups include indoor short mat bowls club, yoga, children's groups, Brownies, and Radipole and Southill Horticultural Society events.