A London hospice has said vulnerable, terminally-ill patients may be deprived of vital support because of the effects on its business of the congestion charge.

The director of St John's Hospice in St John's Wood said most of their clients came from Westminster to visit the day centre.

They relied on volunteer drivers picking them up from their homes.

But he claimed the effects of paying the charge would both deter volunteers and put a huge strain on the hospice's budget.

The only alternative is to cut our services, which is the last thing we want to do Nigel Harding, St John's Hospice

Nigel Harding said there were 19 beds in the unit and a large day centre, often caring for people with AIDS and cancer.

Half its �2.5m running costs come from health authorities and the other half by fund-raising.

Mr Harding told BBC London that not only do volunteers drive patients around, but they help with the fund-raising, using their own cars.

"Who's going to travel on public transport these days, whether it's the bus or Tube, carrying a can of money? It just wouldn't be safe for them," he said.

'Cut services'

He estimated refunding the charge to its volunteers would cost the hospice about �25-30,000 a year which they would not be able to recoup.

"We have no opportunity to increase the funding to cover it. So the only alternative is to cut our services, which is the last thing we want to do," he added.

Transport for London (TfL) said as the hospice is not affiliated to the NHS it does not qualify for an exemption from the charge.

Mr Harding said the congestion charge system did not make allowances for such a unique case.