Whitton Community Centre will not suffer any cuts in its funding from the council, according to Twickenham parliamentary candidate Tania Mathias.

The Conservative councillor visited the centre during its coffee morning today, where she met with chairman Norman Osborne and his wife Iris Osborne, who works as secretary.

Dr Mathias promised there would be no changes for the centre’s funding.

She said: "[There will be] no cuts in funding - and they do very good cakes."

The centre in Percy Road had been told last month that it would have to pay thousands in rent from April 2016, despite having never had to pay rent to the council.

The ETNA Community Centre in east Twickenham would also be affected by the move but said it would discuss the matter with the council following Thursday’s general election.

It is believed the centres would have to pay in the region of £60,000-a-year to remain open.

But Dr Mathias, who hopes to topple long-standing Twickenham MP Vince Cable in tomorrow’s polls, appeared to dismiss the prospect.

Mr Osborne, who has been chairman at Whitton Community Centre for 10 years, said it had been "going backwards and forwards for so long".

He said: "It is a bit disturbing for the centre not being able to make future plans.

"A decision needs to be made one way or the other because our members are very concerned.

"I am grateful to Tania Mathias that she said what she did and it is a little bit more reassuring, but OK she said it but a little doubt remains.

"I would like to have it in writing - having to pay rent would be the centre’s death."

The centre hosts various events each day, as well as the access point for Heathfield library as well as a pharmacy.

Stella Rendell, from Twickenham, said the centre was important for local people.

She added: "This place is the only time some people see another person, such as when someone is living on their own."

Council cabinet member for community Councillor Susan Chappell said: "I have seen Vince Cable’s blog and the concerns that this has caused surrounding the future of the WCA and ETNA and can only speculate on the timing of this a few days ahead of an election.

"However, I can assure the WCA and ETNA that there is absolutely no threat to their funding and never has been.

"The council is simply changing the way in which the funding is given following a decision taken in 2011 and the organisations have been made aware of these changes."