A HAMPSHIRE physiotherapy centre is closing after almost 40 years due to financial problems.

The Pinder Centre in Avington, near Winchester, will close on June 29 after directors declared it unsustainable following a four-year finance review which found losses had doubled since 2008.

The losses were blamed on high costs of running facilities such as hydrotherapy along with the remote location of the centre and competition in the area.

Founded in 1973, the centre provided a range of services to patients with cerebral palsy, multiple sclerosis and strokes as well as short term problems like back pain and whiplash.

But separate charity The Pinder Trust, which has given grants to the centre over the years, will continue to help disabled people in Hampshire.

Angus Sladen, chairman of the trust said 'The Directors and management are particularly concerned that provision is made for the long term patients, many of whom receive subsidy from the charity to help cover the cost of their treatments; most of these are hydrotherapy patients.”