A scheme which helps elderly people get support and advice is under threat.

The Partnership for Older People Project (Popp) has been running in West Sussex for the past two years.

It was partly paid for by the government as a pilot project but it has now refused to extend the funding to keep the project going.

West Sussex County Council and NHS West Sussex have agreed to pay for the scheme for another year but its long term future is not secure.

Council leader Henry Smith said he was disappointed at not getting the extra government help to enable Popp to continue its good work.

Minister of State for Care Services, Phil Hope, said in a response to Coun Smith: “I understand the importance of schemes such as Popp and why you wish for funding to be provided in order for it to continue.

“However, the specific purpose of the Popp grant was to provide time-limited funding.”

Popp has developed a number of services for older people across the county including the introduction of six community partnership teams.