THE Clark family were the last guests to leave the final sitting of the Melksham Lunch Club when it closed last Thursday.

Mum and dad Sally, 75, and Roly Clark, 80, were joined by their son and daughter Robert, 42, and Suzanne, 45.

The family were regular visitors to the club’s lunches at Melksham Assembly Hall.

Sally said: “We’re very sad to see it has closed. It’s been nice to come somewhere and meet people, as well as having a lovely hot meal.”

The club attracted 36 people for its final sitting, who all tucked into a traditional Christmas turkey dinner followed by Christmas pudding and crumble.

Catering manager Elvey Schofield said: “We were full up. Every table was booked and we served 36 people.”

Wiltshire Council decided to shut down the club, claiming it is suffering an annual loss of £82,000.

Campaigners hope to reform the club as a charity in the new year.