WHEN a charity’s drop-in centre opened three years ago, Eric Pearson was the first "customer" to walk through the door.

Since then, Mr Pearson has been an ambassador for the Pickering Cancer Drop-in Centre in Tunbridge Wells, and on Tuesday, volunteers and fellow members helped him celebrate his 80th birthday in style.

There was a birthday cake plus paper hats and party fun in the centre at 27 Monson Road.

Polly Taylor, co-founder of the centre, said: "Eric is our unofficial ambassador. He invites the great and good to visit us – and they come."

Mr Pearson, whose 80th birthday was on Wednesday, lives in Tunbridge Wells and is one of dozens of people who travel there from all over West Kent and parts of East Sussex for therapies, advice, counselling and yoga sessions free of charge.

The centre, which is open on Tuesdays and Fridays from 10am to 4pm, has about 40 volunteers and is seeking more to help with its work.

Ms Taylor said: "We desperately need more therapists and a voluntary nutritionist because the one that we had has moved."

Volunteers are asked to spend a couple of hours per week at the centre which offers therapies such as reflexology, reiki and healing.

"The first thing we offer people is a cheery smile. It is not a morbid place .

"When you have cancer, it is bad enough, without having depressed people around you. We do provide something that you can’t get on the NHS. I am a firm believer in hugs."

The centre needs £35,000 per year to meet its running costs and Ms Taylor has launched a fund-raising campaign to ensure its financial future.

Ms Taylor, who thanked current sponsors, is asking 35 companies and businesses to pledge £1,000 in sponsorship annually for three years to support the centre.

Anyone who would like to volunteer or donate funds can contact the charity on 01892 511880.