POOLE could be set to lose a valuable free health information service.

NHS Direct is due to withdraw funding for the Healthpoint service at Poole Central Library, which provides confidential health advice, at the end of May.

The facility has been in place since 1993 and received more than 14,000 enquiries in total last year.

Poole council's health scrutiny committee is urging Bournemouth and Poole Primary Care Trust (PCT) to find funding to continue the popular service.

In a letter to PCT chief executive Debbie Fleming, Cllr Mary Hillman, chair of the committee, said the removal would be a significant loss to Poole residents.

She wrote: "There is now an urgent need for the Primary Care Trust to make a decision on continuing to fund Healthpoint."

The PCT says it is now in discussions with the council to attempt to save the service.

A spokesperson said: "We are aware that national funding for the Healthpoint service is going to be withdrawn and we are extremely disappointed that this decision has been taken.

"We are now working with our partner organisations, especially the Borough of Poole, to resolve this matter."

Chas Rowling, library services manager at Poole council, said Healthpoint was a valuable service and asked the PCT to consider the implications of the decision and confirm future funding options.

Healthpoint is thought to cost £45,000 a year to run and employs three staff.