FEARS that Axa may no longer support a trust set up by Provincial to help fund educational projects and other charitable requests were expressed by Kendal town councillors.

Members felt that with Axa moving out of Kendal the company may not have the same loyalty to the town despite a £25,000 cheque representing three years of contributions being presented to the trust recently.

Axa has indicated that it will continue contributing to the fund and has also said it would deal with the administration of the charity, councillors were told.

Future meetings of the trust committee, made up of the town clerk and treasurer and one member of Kendal Town Council, will be held in the Mayor's Parlour at Kendal Town Hall instead of at Sand Aire House.

Coun Paul Braithwaite said that £25,000 was "a wonderful gift" but warned that it may be the last.

"What I would hate to see is that that is it," said Coun Braithwaite.

"They could turn round and say: 'That is our commitment to the town paid out and bought out.'"

Members were told that Axa's annual contribution of £ 8,000 a year usually covered all the charity's outgoings.

Kendal Mayor Coun Tom Clare said the council would just have to wait and see what happens and added that the trust may need to consider whether it becomes the Axa Provincial Trust.