Heartbroken staff at a training centre in Bordon have made a poignant plea to ex-students ahead of its looming closure.

The impending closure of the Future Skills Centre has left a cloud over the town with late calls being made for a reprieve.

Local politicians have been urged to do everything possible to save the “financially unviable” centre but it’s a big ask with six-figure losses and dwindling student numbers.

Staff at the centre, which opened just seven years ago, will continue to support its remaining 29 students through their upcoming GCSEs and vocational programmes.

But they’ve also asked former alumni to pay them a visit before the doors shut for good at the end of the academic year.

“We would love to see as many of our past students as we can for one last time, so if you are passing by, please consider popping in and saying farewell,” wrote the FSC trio of Zara, Mark and Ella.

“For the past seven years, it has been a privilege to work alongside incredible students, staff and the supportive local community and we would like to thank everyone that has been a part of our journey.”

Local historian, environmentalist and former district and town councillor Adam Carew called the announcement a “dark day for Whitehill and Bordon and its regeneration” amid concerns about the slow pace of infrastructural development and the possible closure of the recycling centre.

He said: “The whole point of the FSC was to train local people in the construction industry to help the town ‘build itself’ with likely jobs at the end of it.

“I hope it can be saved. If not, then I hope the iconic building can be repurposed, maybe becoming part of the Forest Tech Green Business park that EHDC want to put behind it.”

“I really hope our local politicians can step in and save it,” added Mr Carew, with Whitehill & Bordon Community Party leader Cllr Andy Tree repeating that sentiment.

He said: “Having support this facility since the keys were first handed over in 2017, I am devastated, as I have seen first-hand the excellent work it does for our young people, including my own son.

“I call on politicians of all parties – especially our MP and the declared candidates to be our next MP – to work with me to do all we can to try and salvage this situation, but I fear the decision is made.”