The organisation responsible for regulating Orthodox circumcision in the UK is facing closure because of lack of funds.

Representatives of the Initiation Society, which was founded in 1745, have been called to a meeting in London on Sunday to discuss its plight.

Dr Lionel Kopelowitz, who represents the United Synagogue on the society's general committee, said that one of the options would be to wind it up. "All I can say that it is essential to retain the society as there must be a body in the community to train mohelim and regulate their practice," he said.

According to the last available accounts for the year 2008, the society had an income of £36,352 but spent £64,258 - leaving it with assets at the end of the year of just £18,243. Its trustees stated that the "disappointing" financial performance had been "mainly due to the lack of donations received and the ongoing problem of under-recovery of insurance premiums for mohelim and trainees".

Joseph Spitzer, the society's medical officer, said: "It would seem an awful pity for it to fail because of lack of financial support. It would be sad as it is one of the oldest Jewish organisations in the country."

He said: "It is not a vast sum that should be able to be raised. Some of the major Anglo-Jewish bodies could be more generous in their support of this vital aspect of Jewish life."

The society was responsible for maintaining standards of circumcision procedures as well as educating the community in the importance of the practice, he said.