A GROUP which raises vital cash for the Primrose Hospice has accused Redditch Council of taking money set aside to help support people dying of cancer.

The Primrose Choir, which performs just three public fundraising concerts a year and has done for the last 16 years, donates everything it makes to the Primrose Hospice, an independent charity that offers advice and support to cancer patients and their families in Redditch and Bromsgrove.

To date the choir, which relies on donations to provide services for free, has raised more than £200,000.

The choir will be holding a summer concert at Redditch Town Hall but is being forced to pay to use the venue, meaning cash earmarked for helping people is going into the council's coffers.

Musical director of the choir Kay Hadley appealed to Redditch Council leader Bill Hartnett for concessionary use but was turned down.

"It's absolutely disgusting that the council is taking money from the hospice," said Mrs Hadley.

"Until five years ago, it was free - given as concession by the Conservative council of the time, sanctioned by the chairman of the council.

"It carried on without question until Councillor Kath Banks became mayor in May 2010. That year, when I applied in January, the council said we were not eligible for free use, so I had a meeting with Cllr Banks to discuss the hospice and our work. She then made the hospice her charity for the year and gave us the hall as one of her four 'freebies'.

"The next three years were also given as free by each new mayor. Last year, Bill Hartnett agreed to one more free use but said that was it and in future we would have to pay."

Mrs Hadley added that the choir had no choice but to pay, £234, because there was no time to find a suitable venues elsewhere for the show, which takes place next month.

The summer concert has been held at the town hall since 2001.

However, Mrs Hadley said the choir will now be forced to look for other suitable venues.

She added: "The town hall belongs to the people of Redditch and should be used for their benefit, not the benefit of the council."

In reply to Mrs Hadley's appeal the council did arrange a "reduced rate" of £234 instead of £424.50.

In a written response to Mrs Hadley Council leader Bill Hartnett said he was not in any way underestimating the good work the hospice does but the council has a policy to ensure fairness to all charities and community groups that wish to use the council facilities.

He said: "To depart from that now would mean that in the future other groups may claim lack of fairness."

He also said due to ever growing demands on the council's resources all budget decisions need to be scrutinised.

The concert will be held on Friday, April 15.

For tickets and more information, visit primrosehospice.org/choir.