ECSTATIC cheering and applause erupted at New Addington's Pop-In centre when its elderly users finally heard 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 Pop-In is "officially saved".

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

Speaking to the users, Councillor 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 the Pop-In will not close and I am delighted it is staying open."

Mr Barwell added: "Particular credit should go to councillor Pearson because he has been working so hard."

The centre lost its annual £48,400 council grant – 60 per cent of its income – earlier this year after town hall bosses announced they needed to cut costs. Care organisations across the borough received similar news.

But after weeks of discussions, council leader Mike Fisher decided the Pop-In was safe last week.

The council will commission services 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 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.

"It changes my life.

"When I heard it might close I was dreading January, because it's such a depressing time after Christmas. I don't know what I would do if I lost this place. When people get ill, they come here for encouragement and it helps them get better – without the Pop-In I think a lot of people would give up.

"Words can't describe how happy I am it's saved. This centre really does save people's lives."

Another user, Gwendoline Smith, 82, of King Henry's Drive, has been coming to the Pop-In for 20 years.

She said: "This is my second home. It's smashing news – you just can't imagine what this place means to people."

When manager Ruth Symes heard the news, she ripped up all posters carrying the centre's campaign slogan Save Our Pop-In.

She said: "I feel really emotional because I wasn't expecting this at all. None of us knew what to think. It's wonderful, the best news ever."