A volunteering project which strives to help vulnerable people with household and garden chores may have to cease if it cannot secure funding.

Launched by the Volunteer Centre in Wrotham Road, Gravesend, the Hands Project co-ordinates helpers to carry out house and garden maintenance work for elderly and disabled people in Gravesham who are unable to do it themselves or cannot afford to hire private workers.

But to the dismay of clients and volunteers the project has failed to secure lottery funding which would have ensured the project could continue for another three years.

The blow has come as a shock to Hands Project manager Stewart New, who had hoped to extend the scheme to Dartford residents.

He said: "The original project was set up with £163,000 of Big Lottery funding in 2006 and we had high hopes that having met all our projected outcomes a second tranche of funding would be made available.

"However, the competition for Big Lottery funding this year was extremely competitive. We will have to wind up the project in the near future unless we can find alternative funding."

The scheme has enough funds to last until Christmas but it will need a further £30,000 to be able to operate for another year.

The Hands Project is welcoming donations from the public however big or small. If you would like to donate, call Jenny Lane on 01474 322729.