ROMSEY’S original and much loved cancer support centre is reopening next week.

Bosses at the new charity behind the reopening of Jane Scarth House have also announced that Lady Brabourne will be its patron.

Wessex Cancer Trust pulled the plug on Jane Scarth House last month and the charity Romsey Cancer Support Centre came to the rescue and saved the much-needed befriending facility from permanent closure and has been running services in temporary accommodation at Gorgeous Gowns’ former premises at 70 The Hundred.

Chairman of Romsey Cancer Support Centre, Mike Gratton said: “It is hoped to return to the original Jane Scarth House at 39 The Hundred next week. We are also pleased to confirm that Jane’s new charity shop (at Peppercorn Natural Foods premises) which will support Jane Scarth House will be open for business on Monday December 1. We are now finalising the official opening ceremony.”

Mr Gratton added: “We are very pleased with progress to date but recognise we have a task a front of us. We’d like to thank all those that have supported and helped us so far. A lot of people have put in a lot of hard work to get to where we are today. Cheques and other donations continue to come in. We are also extremely grateful to the owners of the former Gorgeous Gowns premises for letting us use it until Jane Scarth House is ready.” Wessex Cancer Trust shut Jane Scarth House at the end of October and the charity said it wanted to concentrate on “larger support centres” in bigger towns and cities around the area.

The centre has just benefited from a former Test Valley mayor’s year in office.

Bosses received a £250 cheque from borough councillor Janet Whiteley.

Mrs Whiteley raised around £29,000 for good causes through the Mayor’s charity pot during her year in office.

Romsey Cancer Support Centre manager Anne Campbell said: “We are fortunate to benefit from this now as well as earlier in the year. As Romsey Cancer Support is self-funding, support like this is invaluable in helping us to continue to offer our services free to anyone who needs them.”