The leader of a “wonderful” athletics club has been asked to submit a grant application to help secure its future.

Pauline Poole, who runs Borehamwood Athletics Club, was devastated when Elstree & Borehamwood Town Council withdrew its support for an annual fun run vital for its fundraising.

The club relies on entry fees from its annual 10K race held every June, but the authority has now refused to pay for marshals to man the race.

Ms Poole was invited to speak before the committee to petition for a £500 grant to help the club survive over the next year on Wednesday night, but did not attend the meeting.

Town council Mayor Pat Strack said: “We asked her to put her case for a grant forward but she did not turn up.

“We haven’t said no to her but we can’t say yes to her unless she applies. She will have to prove her finances and her books are in order first.

“We don’t want to see the athletics club close.”

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 held at the Hertswood Centre, in Potters Lane, since 1960, and the £12 entrance fees help subsidise places.

But Ms Poole’s version of events differs as she claims she was told she would not be allowed to speak at the meeting, even though this was scheduled on the agenda.

She said: “They said I couldn’t get up and talk so what was the point of wasting an evening? I am still going to apply for a grant next month, I want to do all in my power to keep the club running.”

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.