ECSTATIC cheering and applause erupted at New Addington's Pop-In centre when its elderly users finally received the news they had been waiting for.

After weeks of agonising and sleepless nights for people who depend on the invaluable facility, its future has been secured.

The announcement came from Councillor Tony Pearson and Croydon MP Gavin Barwell during a meeting at the centre last Friday.

Speaking to the users, Cllr Pearson said: "The Government has no money at the moment but the Pop-In is a very special case.

"We have a cast iron guarantee that the Pop-In will not close and I am delighted it is staying open."

The centre lost its annual £48,400 council grant – 60 per cent of its income – earlier this year.

And despite Mr Pearson voting in favour of reductions in voluntary group grants, he has struggled to find a way to save the centre – but after weeks of discussions Croydon Council leader Mike Fisher announced the Pop-In was safe last week.

The council will commission services presently run by the centre in Salcot Crescent to keep it open. This means it will pay for health clinics such as the hard-of-hearing surgery as well as day care for the elderly.

Shirley Mclaren, 73, of North Downs Crescent, has been visiting the centre four days a week for 13 years.

She said: "Coming here means so much because all my children have moved away and this is my only point of social contact all week.

"I don't know what I would do if I lost this place. Words can't describe how happy I am it has been saved."