Eastbourne Citizens' Advice Bureau is to close a key branch after ten years because it faces a severe shortage of cash.

Members of the bureau's financial committee held emergency talks to determine the future of the centre in Grove Road.

Eastbourne Borough Council funded the bureau and gave a grant of £60,000 to run it but the money has not been enough to keep the centre open because of its high running costs.

Despite £6,000 of further financial assistance from the council, the CAB was left with a £20,000 deficit.

Chairman John Boyle said: "We have realised we can't afford to continue at Grove Road and we must close the office.

"We moved into the office at the request of the council. They told us they would meet our funding but it hasn't been possible for them to do that."

The CAB office opened in the town in 1992 and sees more than 10,000 people every year to advise on legal, housing and debt problems.

The office is expected to close in the next few months but staff have vowed to try to reopen elsewhere in the town.

Mr Boyle said: "It is the Dunkirk spirit. We can't give up. We will survive and help the people of Eastbourne."

News of the CAB's cash crisis followed reports that a day centre for the elderly is to have its budget cut buy half.

The William Daly Centre in Polegate has been told by East Sussex County Council it will not have its £25,000 grant renewed after June 30.