An Allerdale day centre is saying goodbye to two of its icons this week.

Park Hill, the imposing white house which has been home to Allerdale COSC is being sold and Alan Hunter, manager for 27 years, is retiring.

COSC is an adult day centre for people with disabilities started in Cleator Moor, where it still operates.

In 2000 Mr Hunter opened the Maryport centre which was known as Allerdale COSC. He came with his own knowledge of coping with disabilities.

Both his daughters were injured in severe accidents, with one suffering a broken back and another a broken neck.

Mr Hunter’s decision to leave is partially due to his age.

He said: “At 67 my body is telling me to slow down.”

However, it has been hastened by his wife’s illness; Joan, who ran the COSC shop in Maryport, suffered a stroke after heart surgery.

“It’s been a tough six months," he said. "We’ve moved to a farmlet in Silloth and our daughters and families have moved with us.

“Louise and Angela want to breed rare poultry. They are there to help with Joan and she is able to see her three grandsons every day. It is a great move for us all.”

He will continue to volunteer at COSC occasionally, including doing shifts at the charity shop on Senhouse Street.

COSC opened at Park Hill in 2000 and, in 2002, Mr Hunter’s father-in-law Jim Cunningham bought the Netherton building to allow them to expand.

Allerdale COSC bought the building from him but Mr Hunter said the decision was made this year to sell it.

He added: “It has been fantastic but we are terrified of maintenance costs now. If the roof goes we would have nothing to repair it with.

“We searched Maryport for suitable premises but there was nothing available. We have now found a unit on the Cockermouth business park near the police station. It does not just fit the bill but all maintenance, including grass cutting, is done as part of the lease”

He said all the people who use the charity would still attend.

“It is just that Maryport ones will have a bit further to travel," he added.

“Our strength lies in the fact that we are not an organisation or a charity. We are a family and changing a building will not change that.”