HALESOWEN Age Concern faces an uphill battle to get an insurance pay out after two recent break-ins due to an administration fowl up.

The Green Lane centre has been inundated by offers from the local community and business fraternity after over £7,000 damage was caused by burglars and vandals.

However, it has emerged that due to administration error filling out insurance forms the centre will not be covered for the damage.

Speaking at Halesowen North and South Neighbourhood Forum, Age Concern director Hayley Green and Cradley South Councillor Ken Turner said: “Unfortunately our secretary did not fill the insurance forms in correctly which led to the Stourbridge centre being covered but not the Halesowen centre.

“This simple mistake will cost us thousands of pounds but I will be putting pressure on the insurance company to make a good will payment at the very least.”

The Halesowen North and South Community Forum allocated £2,500 to Age Concern Halesowen to help towards the cost of repairs and the charity is appealing for a further £2,500 from the Hayley Green, Cradley South and Belle Vale Community Forum this week.

The Green Lane centre is now back open after having a brand new CCTV and alarm system to thwart burglars in the future.

The Rotary Club of Halesowen and Rowley Regis has stepped in with a £500 donation, local businessman Tony Billingham pledged £250 and local undertakers Hicktons gave £300 to the centre.

Cllr Turner added: “The donations from the Rotary Club, Tony Billingham and Hicktons will make a real difference to everyone at the centre.

“We now have CCTV coverage inside and outside the building which should stop troublemakers and burglars targeting the centre in the future.”

Rotary Club president Brian Maxfield said: “As soon we heard about what happened at Age Concern Halesowen we wanted to help as they do so much great work for the community.”

UKIP Halesowen parliamentary candidate Dean Perks and Halesowen North UKIP candidate Stuart Henley bought and installed a bingo machine for the centre.

Mr Perks said " After a mindless act of vandalism it was our pleasure to support the group with a donation. UKIP will always be on hand to help our local communities"

ASDA in Halesowen are also holding collections for the centre and anyone wishing to donate to the cause can do so in store.

Cllr Turner added: “I know how grateful all the pensioners are at the centre for all the help received, from physical work to financial support it.”