MANAGERS for the Hospice in the Weald have warned they may have to make cuts in services because of a funding shortfall.

The Pembury-based hospice, which takes patients from across West Kent and Sussex, is running at a deficit this financial year, which runs until March 2003. It also ran at a loss last year.

Now managers say unless funding from central Government is promised, cuts may have to be made.

Hospice chief executive John Ashelford said: "It is a struggle. I will have to make cuts, and it will be a question of where do I make those cuts?

"We provide services in community nursing, have an inpatient unit, run a day hospice and provide support services for families who have suffered loss or bereavements.

Mr Ashelford added: "If the Government gave us what is, in my opinion, a modest amount of money, it would be of great value and go into services which are cost effective."