DEVASTATED mental health sufferers may have to return hospital after a county council U-turn has seen their club close.

The Trinity Club has been forced to shut, despite council reassurance it would find someone to manage the club immediately when the last manager retired.

It means some of its 30 members might have to be readmitted to hospital.

The club stopped meeting at Unity House, on City Walls Road, Worcester, last month - bringing an end to the service, which provided "invaluable help" for 15 years.

Despite the club's manager giving social services chiefs 12 months' notice of her intention to quit, the department has failed to replace her and, instead, has closed the service down.

Now, she has expressed her dismay at her treatment.

"I feel that they just don't value their staff anymore. After 15 years service they have not bothered to tell me what was going to happen after I finished," said Mrs Morgan.

She wanted to retire last June and posted her first resignation letter at the beginning of the year, but was persuaded to carry on. She sent a second letter in November, but had no reply.

An appeal for information about the club's future - which has more than 30 clients on its books - was met with a referral to her line manager.

"The members are devastated they've lost their club. For some of them it's the only place they have to go to," said Mrs Morgan.

In December, the Evening News asked the council about the club's future.

A council spokeswoman said the popular club would continue, and Mrs Morgan's role would be filled the week after she retired.

But yesterday, it said it would be looking externally to fill the position, and the club was "temporarily suspended."

"We will be wanting to hear from anyone that can help us continue running this valued community service," said Liam Dolan, county day hospitals manager.

"It was hoped that an internal candidate already employed by the authority could be found, as this could be effected quickly.

"However, this has not been possible and an external candidate will now have to be found."

The club offered clients the chance to discuss problems, play games, and access information about state benefits.

"It's very disappointing, but I'm not surprised the club ceased to exist," said Martin Long a volunteer with 30 years experience with the mental health service.

He added the day centre's closure could lead to some clients returning to hospital.

"I have little faith the club will reopen, and we will be watching very closely to see what happens," he continued.