DR Sarah Wollaston has expressed her regret that a mental health charity, with an outreach branch in Dartmouth, is to close at the end of June.

Cool Recovery has helped isolated and distressed people in Torbay and the rural areas for the last 15 years. The group, which held weekly meetings and workshops at the Guildhall, said it was 'with a heavy heart' that is was being forced to fold due to a lack of funding.

Only last year, Tory parliamentary candidate Dr Sarah Wollast­on, shortly after her appointment as chairman of the Govern­ment's select committee on health, spoke out in praise of the work carried out by the group.

She said this week: 'I am so sorry to hear of the announcement that Cool Recovery will be closing; their volunteers have provided wonderful support and advice to local people.'

In a statement this week, Cool Recovery said: 'It is with deep regret that the trustees and staff have taken the decision to close the charity from June 30.

'This has been brought about by a worsening financial situation and an absence of sufficient funding from statutory sources.'

It added: 'During the past 15 years, the same two staff alongside the original benefactor have secured grants and donations to keep the charity going.

'The volume of work contributed by volunteers doubles this value. However, Big Lottery and other grant funding is now coming to an end.

'Cool Recovery has been in ongoing discussions with South Devon and Torbay Clinical Commiss­ioning Group for some years to sec­ure sustainable funding. We were subsequently awarded £25,000 to pilot a joint working peer support project and then, in April 2015, a further £30,000 to develop our findings. This is insufficient. With annual running costs of over £150,000 this was too little, too late.'

Dr Andy Haytread, GP and clinical lead for adult mental health services at the Torbay and South Devon Clinical Comissioning Group, said: 'We are sorry to hear Cool Recovery is closing. It has done some important work for people affected by mental health in South Devon and Torbay.

'But, much as we would love to, the NHS simply can't fund charities in their entirety.'

He added: 'In recent months, significant improvements have been made to South Devon and Torbay's mental health urgent care – a direct result of people telling us what they really want to support them.'

Martin Smith, manager of Cool Recovery, said: 'I am saddened for Cool Recovery members who are at the heart of its work and governance.'

The 'Story of Cool' is being documented and anybody you would like to be part of the publication or film should contact the group. Call 01803 299511 or email info@ coolrecovery.org.uk.