The future of a “wonderful” athletics club is in jeopardy after the town council withdrew its support for an annual fun run vital for its fundraising.

Borehamwood Athletics Club relies on entry fees from the annual 10K race held every June to subsidise places for its weekly activities.

But after nearly 60 years, Elstree & Borehamwood Town Council has refused to pay for marshals to man the race, as required by law.

As a result, the race will not be able to go ahead – meaning the activities the club runs for children aged five and up may have to be cancelled.

Club secretary Pauline Poole said: “I was fuming when I found out and I had steam coming out of my ears. How dare they – do they not realise what an important service we run?

“The club keeps children off the streets. The parents will be devastated. It is a wonderful way to keep them fit, active and it keep them entertained but it’s going to go out of existence unless we find cash from somewhere else.

“We are more like a family unit than anything else. They are breaking us apart.”

The athletics club first opened in 1957 and today around 20 children pay £1 to attend the club at Hertswood School, in Cowley Hill, each week.

The 10k race has been running since 1960 at the Hertswood Centre, in Potters Lane, and the £12 entrance fees help subsidise places at the athletics club.

More than 150 people aged 17 and over take part every year and it is is one of the main highlights of the town council’s Festival Fortnight, held every June.

Elstree & Borehamwood Town Council made the decision to withdraw its support at a meeting of the entertainments committee on July 15 by a unanimous vote.

They also cancelled the annual chess match, cricket club and the bowls open day.

Ms Poole, who lives in Drayton Road, was also furious that she was not invited to the meeting and that the authority failed to inform her about the changes.

Instead, she received a letter last week.

She added: “That’s what’s annoyed me most – the fact that they haven’t had the courtesy to tell me after all the hard work I’ve put into the club.

“The race involves the whole community, so it’s sad not only for the children who love the club but also for the people who look forward to running in it each year.

“It’s usually a great vibe, but we’re set to lose that.”

A statement from the town council said: “Council members are working with officers to see what can be achieved in the year ahead and have already discussed some exciting new ideas to be agreed in the New Year. 

“As such, the process of contacting organisations about the 2015 festival would not ordinarily commence until that time.

"Sadly, the low level of interest in including a chess night and cricket match in the Festival in 2014 meant that it was not viable to put on these attractions.  

“The decision was also taken not to include the Boreham Wood Athletic Club 10k and Fun Run in the 2015 programme.

“This does not reflect in any way upon the club or the work that is does, but it does mean that the council will not be able to support it in a direct fashion with steward or officer support should it continue to host the event in that year.”

The club is eligible to seek a grant from the council for financial support.

To speak to the town council about what events you would like to see during next year’s civic festival, call 0208 207 1382.