A VITAL Selby charity could be closed by Christmas unless major funding is found.

Selby District Vision has been providing services of people with sight problems in the Selby district since the 1930s.

But its funding sources have dried up and the charity now faces a cash crisis.

If no new, major funding can be identified the future is bleak.

Outreach worker Andrea Field said the charity cost about £60,000 a year to run.

Mrs Field said funding of £8,000 from the county council and £4,000 from the primary care trust had now dried up, while the most recent bid for Lottery cash had been unsuccessful.

They had been receiving Lottery funding over the last five years while Lloyds TSB had also helped with a donation of £40,000.

Mrs Field said Selby District Vision was the only charity of its kind for the Selby area. Its work includes assessing the homes of those with sight problems to make practical improvements, help with information and also counselling for those who are going blind.

She said: “It takes a lot of our clients a long, long time to come to terms with the fact they are losing their sight. Simple things like shopping become difficult, it’s so debilitating.

“There is no-one out there who provides the same services as us, it’s quite sad really.”

About 500 blind and partially-sighted people are helped in the area each year.

Services include operating a resource centre in Selby where a range of specialist equipment is available to assist people to live independently.

David Haynes, of South Milford, who has received services from Selby District Vision for a number of years said: “I don’t know how I and others will manage in the future if they have to close.”