AN asthma and allergy clinic in Southampton facing closure because of lack of funds is urging city residents to help save it.

The drop-in clinics are held at various venues throughout the city and are run by the Asthma, Allergy and Inflammation Research charity, based at Southampton General Hospital.

But a shortage of cash means the free clinics, which offer invaluable help and advice to asthma and allergy sufferers, may have to close at the end of the year unless the £30,000 needed to run them is found.

Many sufferers have benefited from the service and have left the clinic, run by specialist nurse Chellan Eames, with a much better understanding of their condition.

One such person is Tina Smith from Wallace Road in Weston, who suffered from terrible asthma until, on Chellan's advice, she cut out certain foods from her diet.

She was unable to do housework or even walk around the corner to visit her mum, but is now fit and active and rarely has asthma attacks thanks to the information and support she received from the clinic.

She said: "I don't know where I would be if I hadn't been to the clinic. Most probably sitting in the seat asleep, that's how I used to be."

The pilot scheme is unique and has proved to be a valuable asset to Southampton, but they will be lost in the new year if £30,000 cannot be raised to run the clinics for another year.

A street collection is taking place on Saturday, November 23 at Above Bar in Southampton from 10am onwards and dancers from the Fitzell Roberts School of Dancing are giving a demonstration at 2pm outside Woolworths.

Anybody wanting to donate to the clinics can send them to the AAIR Charity, Medical Specialities, Level D, Centre Block, Southampton General Hospital, Tremona Road, Southampton SO16 6YD.

For more information about AAIR or the clinics call 023 8077 1234.