A coffee bar which raises  money for charity is under  threat because of a lack of  volunteers.

The Courthouse Coffee Bar at  Kirklees Magistrates’ Court in  Huddersfield could close unless  more helpers come forward.

The coffee bar is now run by  Huddersfield Lions Club.

The Lions took over from the  Women’s Royal Voluntary Service  (WRVS) but still use WRVS volunteers to help run it.

All profits raised from the sale of  drinks and light snacks are  donated to charities nominated by  volunteers.

Huddersfield Lions vice president Andrew Thornes said the coffee bar was at risk of closure and  appealed for more volunteers.

It is open five mornings a week  and some afternoons and serves  drinks and light snacks to solicitors, officials and court users.

Mr Thornes said the coffee bar  was important for several reasons  and added: “This is one of our  most successful ways of fundraising for charities while at the same  time providing a service and promoting the work of Lions.

“Every penny made after costs  for supplies have been covered goes  to charities nominated by the  volunteers.

“This year so far we have contributed to the work of the Yorkshire Air Ambulance and the  Yorkshire Regiment, the former  Mayor of Kirklees’ chosen charity  for 2013 with many other charities  benefiting at six monthly intervals.

“Our customers include solicitors, court ushers and administration staff and ‘visitors’ to the  court.

“Some of our regulars supply  ideas about what we should  provide them with and, of course,  we try to oblige!”

However, although WRVS  volunteers remain an essential part  of the team running the coffee bar,  numbers in total are falling and the  coffee bar is struggling to maintain  staffing levels.

Huddersfield Lions are actively  seeking new volunteers and Mr  Thornes said: “We would welcome  with open arms anyone with a  couple of hours to spare each  week, a retired or part-time person  maybe, having a mind to contribute time to help our local community in this way.”

Anyone interested in helping  should go to the website www.huddersfieldlions.org or phone 0845  833 2826.