THE announced closure of Prestwick's Malcolm Sargent House has left the community devastated and shocked.

Billy Herd who lives in Prestwick, who has been a volunteer at the holiday home for 10 years, described the outcome as a 'hammer blow' to the families who holiday there.

Speaking to the Ayr Advertiser Billy said: "My late wife passed away from lung cancer but we had moved down to Prestwick.

"We were not aware of Malcolm Sargent House at that time but there was an open day which we went along to. After she passed away I decided to volunteer there as well as at the Ayrshire Hospice.

"I class myself as a full time volunteer for the charity. It keeps me busy and meeting new people."

Billy's wife sadly passed away in January 2006 and was a volunteer at MSH nine months later. He is now chair person of the committee.

He added: "I am really lucky to have met all these brave people, their families and carers. I have been involved in some very happy times. It has been enlightening to go and help these people.

"I have been able to travel all over Scotland with the charity. This is just a hammer blow to these families. A lot of people do not realise it has been closed for five weeks during the consultation process.

"Who knows what will happen to MSH. A lot of people are still supporting it."

But many people in the local community, including those on the committee are hopeful this is not the end of the road for the holiday some.

A statement from 'Save Malcolm Sargent House' posted online said: "We are still feeling very hopeful about the future of the building. Our priority is to raise the deposit to secure the purchase of the land from CLIC Sargent."

A meeting is due to take place to discuss the issue this Wednesday.