Vital support for people with dementia and their carers is at risk because of a cash crisis.

The Worthing and District branch of the Alzheimer's Society today warned it faced cutting several of its services because it was running out of money to pay for them.

Some facilities could be lost as early as May unless enough funding is found to help them continue.

Branch manager Catherine Kingham said it cost up to £500,000 a year to provide the charity's services but in the last two to three years it has been getting around half of that.

She said a drop in legacy support was the major problem as it had been the charity's major source of income.

She said: "This is a situation many charities and organisations are facing across the board. In the last few years income from legacies has fallen by as much as 80 per cent.

"Research has shown more people are using the money now through things like paying for nursing home fees, releasing equity to go travelling or remortgaging property to pay for things like university fees.

"We are doing as much as we can through fund-raising and through applying for grants and lottery funding but nothing is guaranteed.

"We get some statutory funding from West Sussex County Council for our respite care services, for example, but it doesn't cover the whole cost and the council is just as short of cash as anywhere else.

"We are approaching crisis point and services are going to be lost if we can't get the money we need.

"We offer so much vital support and help in different ways, especially for younger people with dementia. There is nothing else suitable for people available in this area so to lose the service will be awful for them."

One of the services at risk is the Centre Club and Alz Cafe.

The club is a social day centre for people under 65 with early to mid-stage dementia. For two days a week throughout the year up to 20 carers at a time are able to spend time for themselves without having to worry about their loved ones.

Anyone able to help should call 01903 267902 or email c.kingham@alzheimersworthing.co.uk .