Ledbury Red Cross group disbanded on Monday, ending months of struggle to find a new base.

The decision has created a health and safety problem for organisers of major local events such as the carnival and the poetry festival's town party. A first-aid presence is required by law at all large public events and Ledbury Red Cross has provided this since its foundation in 1935.

Members met until last summer at the St John Ambulance Centre, in the Southend, before being asked to move out so the building could be sold.

Spokesman Fred Grace said: "Over the last 18 months we've tried to find a base to continue our voluntary services but not a single word of advice or encouragement has been received to remedy the situation."

Mr Grace said the group felt it could not continue without a base for its medical loans service. As a result, around 20 wheelchairs, plus walking frames and bed pans have been sent back to Red Cross regional HQ at Worcester.

Previously, some equipment was stored in a member's garage. Herefordshire Council also allowed the temporary storage of wheelchairs at the Master's House.

Steve Clegg, chairman of the Ledbury Carnival committee, said: "This is quite serious. Ledbury Red Cross has provided us with a fantastic service over the years. Obviously we'll have to bring in outside agencies. I've no idea if it will cost more."

Ledbury Red Cross charged £150 a day to cover Ledbury Carnival. The group's skills were evident at last summer's poetry festival's town party, when a youth slipped and hit his head. He was given emergency aid and cared for until an ambulance arrived.

Festival director Dr Charles Bennett said: "We've enjoyed a positive and fruitful relationship with the Red Cross and its closure is is extremely bad news for us."

Despite the changes, the Red Cross Shop in New Street will remain open.