A DECISION to close a Hampshire branch of a cancer trust has been met with anger.

Wessex Cancer Trust is closing its branch based at the Winchester Centre in St George’s Street, Winchester in July.

It says that the lease on the building is coming to an end, while a boss at the trust also blamed parking and traffic issues in the city.

It is not officially known how many staff will be affected by the closure, however a source said up to two full time staff could be affected and up to four part time carers too, along with voluntary posts going.

One person affected, who asked not to be named, said: “The Trust has failed to promote its services properly.

“Despite there being no change in the number of cancer sufferers in the Winchester district there has been a drop off in numbers.

“The Trust has been pushing people to use the recently opened Chandler’s Ford centre.”

Chief executive at Wessex Cancer Trust Cait Allen confirmed the upcoming closure, saying: “The lease on our Winchester centre comes to an end in the next few months.

“We have decided not to renew but instead to seek a centre slightly further north so we can support people in Winchester and Basingstoke.

“Clients have been struggling to get to the centre due to traffic and parking challenges in Winchester city centre.

“As a result, many have chosen to use our Chandler’s Ford centre instead, as it has a car park at the back.

“Many of our Winchester staff and volunteers work in the Chandler’s Ford centre too.”