THE VOLUNTEERS running Ledbury's Heritage Centre have been praised for doing "a fantastic job" during the first season in charge.

The Civic Society took on a licence to run the centre, in Church Lane, at the start of the year.

Otherwise it was facing closure by Herefordshire Council as a cost-cutting measure.

Official figures are still to be released, but Chris Johnson of the Civic Society said: "Volunteers have done a fantastic job in running it themselves, organising the rota and reserve list, stock taking and cleaning.

"Visitor numbers and sales have been going well, with similar figures to last year; but we are a little disappointed with the level of donations and we plan to do more next season to increase the visibility of the donations box."

The centre no longer gets any support from Herefordshire Council and its funding is dependent on donations and sales."

The Civic Society is also running and hiring out the upstairs meeting room at the Heritage Centre.

Mr Johnson said: "The whole project to keep the Heritage Centre open seems to be running very well. It is of great credit to everyone involved that this wonderful asset has been kept open this season."