Plans to enhance lives on a Maryport estate are struggling due to a lack of support.

The Hillside and Pecklewell Lane Residents’ Association is down to three members who are full of ideas but have little hope of bringing them to reality without help from locals and from housing providers Your Derwent & Solway.

The group lost their community support officer, Kathryn Peters, in October when the social landlords did not renew her contract.

Association treasurer Kath Clarkson said that was a blow.

She said the association might also thrive more if meetings could be held on Hillside.

“Your Derwent & Solway has hired a meeting room for us at All soul’s Church at Netherton. That is good of them but I think we could get more support if we could meet closer to where we live.”

She said the housing association’s offices lie empty and include a large room that could be used for meetings and youth events.

However, a Derwent & Solway spokeswoman said the company was trying to find another tenant for the building:

“Our Hillside office was vacated in January by the company who had leased the space. So while it is currently available we are looking to find a new tenant. As this space is only likely to be vacant temporarily, we will continue to use the existing arrangement at the church for the local residents group meetings. This will be reviewed if a new tenant is not found.”

Mrs Clarkson said the tiny group left would like to hold an Easter egg hunt and Easter bonnet competition for children on the large estate.

“We would like to have an indoor market at All Souls and hold sports days and other events.

“It is almost impossible to do and we urge other residents to come forward and help us.”

The residents’ association was set up last year with the help of Mrs Peters.

It had a walking group, cooking sessions and coffee and chat.

“More importantly it got people – including myself – out of the house,” said Mrs Clarkson.

The group usually meets at All Souls at 9.30am on Tuesdays.