A strapped-for-cash day centre for the elderly has been forced to raise its weekly charge by half.

And already some families unable to meet the extra cost have said they will have to withdraw their relatives.

Pembroke Senior's Day Centre -- run by the Parish Council -- increased its weekly rate from $100 to $150.

One woman who has an elderly relative who uses the centre said: "It's a lot of extra money to find.

"But we don't blame the day centre -- I know it's been fighting for survival for years and there was nothing else they could do.'' The non-profit making centre, which has a full-time staff of four plus part-time assistants, caters for more than 20 elderly people a day.

It offers a safe and stimulating environment for frail elderly people whose families do not want them to go into full-time care.

A range of activities are on offer and a main meal is also provided. The Parish Council recently bought a new bus so clients can go out on day trips.

Parish Council chairman Mr. Ray O'Leary said that charges had reluctantly been increased after months of discussion.

He added: "The price hasn't gone up very much in the last few years -- we have had to put them up just to stay in business.

"We are running at a loss and at the end of the year we will be out of our reserve funds. If the prices hadn't gone up, we would have had to have closed.'' Mr. O'Leary added that he was aware some clients had been forced to stop attending because of the increase -- but he said anyone finding difficulty paying should contact the Government's Social Assistance Department.

He said: "For anyone who can show need, the Government will pick up the whole tab or part of the tab.'' He added that the centre relied very heavily on charitable donations to replace furniture and equipment and urged the community to dig into their pockets to help safeguard its future.

The increase in charges was raised in the House of Assembly by Deputy Speaker Mr. Stanley Lowe last Friday.

He said: "People have found this service very useful indeed. Not everybody wants to institutionalise their relatives.'' Mr. Lowe added that surveys showed the elderly population was increasing and there was likely to be more demand for services like the day centre in the future.

But Human Affairs Minister Jerome Dill replied that even the increased charges did not cover the actual cost of the service.

And he added: "There is no question of the Government not continuing to assist people who have temporarily fallen on hard times.''