A LAST minute reprieve has been given to pensioners who faced massive charges for using a Rubery community centre.

In last week's Advertiser/Messenger we reported up to seventy elderly folk were looking for another venue after prices for using Rubery Youth and Community Centre looked set to quadruple.

Currently people pay £3 a year to be a centre-user and then 50p each session.

Worcestershire County Council told them they would have to pay 75p each an hour, sessions could be reduced to 80 minutes and there must be a minimum of ten users.

But in a new twist county councillor Peter McDonald (Lab, Rubery) said the increases have been frozen for a review on May 1.

He added: "We are looking at reasonable and sensible increases and all users are being consulted."

Larry Bradshaw, who uses the centre, in New Road, said: "It takes two to make a bargain."

l Bromsgrove District Council leader Nick Psirides (Con, Norton) has called a public meeting for user groups to air their views on the charge increases.

Everyone, including county council representatives, is invited to the gathering next Thursday, April 26, at the village's community centre. It kicks off at 7pm.