A matchmaking service for adults with learning disabilities has found itself in financial difficulties.

Mates ’n’ Dates, which is run by Witney charity Guideposts Trust, helps people across Oxfordshire make friends and find love.

It holds regular speed dating sessions, organises social events and provides chaperones.

But grants of £40,000 over the last three years from the Learning Disability Partnership Board, which is funded by Oxfordshire County Council, ended in March.

The charity said it was advised by the board not to apply this year. But the county council said the charity no longer wanted financial assistance because it wanted to operate independently.

Mates ’n’ Dates is the only service of its kind in Oxfordshire and helps about 270 adults with learning disabilities across the county.

Andrew White, 27, of Brackley, met girlfriend Amy McGoldrick, 19, of Banbury, on a speed dating event in July.

Mr White, who has autism, said: “I always wanted a girlfriend – for companionship – but it was tough before.

“I found the speed dating a bit nervous at first but I enjoyed it – and I got a girlfriend out of it.

“It would be difficult to meet new people without Mates ’n’ Dates. It is an excellent service.”

Miss McGoldrick said: “It was really good fun talking to lots of different people at the speed dating.

“I spoke to Andrew for five minutes, and thought it might be nice to meet up again and see how we would get on.”

The couple went bowling on their first date and were chaperoned by volunteers .

Miss McGoldrick, who has a general learning disability, said the relationship was “going well”.

Guideposts’ Marie-Eva James said: “The partnership board has been funding us consecutively for two or three years.

“But we were advised this year that it was probably best that we did not apply this time because we would have been unsuccessful.

“They said we should back off a bit before we came back to them, so they were not seen to be consecutively giving us money to survive.”

She added: “This year is going to be tough, but there is always hope and we are going to work hard to diversify our income streams.”

The service costs about £1,500 a month to run, which includes one staff member’s time, volunteer expenses and running costs.

County council spokesman Marcus Mabberley said: “Mates ’n’ Dates’ steering group indicated to the county council that it wanted to operate independently and therefore would no longer be seeking financial assistance from the local authority.”

For more information, or to donate, contact Hannah Wolstenholme on 01993 899980 or visit matesndates.org.uk