Despite pleas from carers and members of Manor Street Day Centre, Hertfordshire County Council axed the service earlier this year and a bid to buy the land has now been accepted.

Officials will not confirm who the site has been sold to or for how much, but it is thought a contract will be signed at the end of the month (October).

The 72 Berkhamsted residents who depended on the centre for social and creative activities now have to travel to various other facilities across the borough for the service.

The controversial closure has also left schoolchildren disappointed.

Each year youngsters from Haresfoot School donated cakes, tinned and fresh food to the members of the day centre as part of their harvest celebrations.

They would also sing and talk to them.

However, the harvest celebration may now have to be cancelled because the school cannot find anyone else to take their offerings.

Mrs Giddings, of Ashlyns Estate, said she was not only sad to hear the site has been sold but also that she would not see the children again.

She explained: "It was nice to see them. They were quite young and would play instruments. Afterwards they would come and have a natter with us too."

Haresfoot's newly appointed head teacher, Sam Jaspal, is now appealing to find a new home for all of the goods.

"I was devastated when I found out that the normal tradition cannot happen. We've been looking for somewhere else to give the food but cannot find anyone who can take it.

"There have been problems with allergies- we can't offer baked goods in case someone who is perhaps a celiac eats it. They also have to be non perishable which mean no fruit and veg, but that is what is at the heart of harvest.

"I don't want to have to cancel, so if anyone can help us they should call the school," she said.

If you help call 01442 872742.