'Big Society' centre praised by Sam Cam faces closure

Campaigners fighting plans to shut a community centre hailed by Samantha Cameron as a "perfect example" of the Big Society are to lobby her to keep it open.

The Prime Minister's wife visited the Surma Centre in Regent's Park before the general election and helped cook curry for its mainly Bangladeshi users.

She recorded a "WebSamCameron" video and said: "Social action is at the heart of the Conservative campaign... The Surma Centre is a perfect example."

Now its £125,000-a-year funding is set to be scrapped from April next year. Camden council says the move has been forced on it by government spending cuts, and it faces a £100 million black hole, reports the Camden New Journal.

Labour council leader Nasim Ali told campaigners: "Samantha Cameron came and cooked here for votes. Where is she now? If you want to lobby, lobby Sam Cam."

A spokesman for Mrs Cameron said: "This council has spent more than £3 million on publicity. The closure [is] a cynical move. They should rethink their decision."