ANY rumours that Maggs Day Centre may be in danger of closing should be of concern because, to be plain about it, the Deansway centre does nothing but good in Worcester.

So it's a relief today that we can set minds at rest and quote Rob Peachey, chairman of the Maggs trustees, when he says "we will be fully open as long as our funding continues".

The public's reaction to places like Maggs is often one of disinterest. What does a centre for the homeless have to do with most of the city's population? It's a question well worth considering because the answer is interesting.

Our streets are not full of spongers or drug addicts. They are much more likely to be home to people for whom the pressures of modern living are too great, who don't have the strength of mind to deal with problems, or who can't cocoon themselves in a reliable bank balance. In short, ordinary people whose lives have collapsed.

They need help and Maggs, its workers and its supporters, provide it.

So we should all be thankful that Maggs has overcome many challenges in its life, not least a number of cash crises.

There is more good news too - the centre is well into the process of appointing a new manager; it's set to open its night shelter to help the homeless through the winter; and there is an emergency cash reserve in place.

As long as there is a homelessness problem in Britain, we will need places like Maggs.