A CLUB which has been providing a much needed outlet for young people in Princetown is under threat due to a lack of funding.

In the past, Princetown Youth Club has relied on grants from the Community Safety Partnership and the Youth Service — but there is no longer any money in the pot.

The club is currently working with other clubs in the area to submit a large lottery bid to keep them going, but in the short term the facility in Princetown has had to close.

It is presently run under the umbrella of the High Moorland Community Action which also runs the community centre.

Youth worker Paul Dobbie said on average, 40 children used the club each week over two nights.

Young people had access to a pool table, computers and space to relax and chat.

Each night was also a 'music night' where people could go along and learn and play instruments and try out some DJ decks.

Mr Dobbie said: 'There's not really any other provision for young people in Princetown so we are doing all we can to find a solution.

'We need to raise £4,000 just to pay for the building and insurance.'

In 2007 the old cricket pavilion was totally refurbished as a youth club building with grants of £10,000 from youth capital funding, West Devon Borough Council and the police.

Pippa St John Cooper, who is the area youth worker, said the idea was to close the club for a few weeks in order to regroup.

'We are trying to find alternative funding to keep the project going. If anyone has any ideas or wants to volunteer we would love to hear from them.

'The desire to keep the youth club going is very strong but the funding steam from the Devon Youth Service has been cut. It will be a real shame if we cannot get the money to carry on.

'Unfortunately we are in unprecedented times in terms of local authority funding streams so any help we can get would be much appreciated.'

An acoustic event to raise funds for Princetown Youth Club was held recently at the Tavistock Inn where musicians played 12 hours of live music. Anyone who can help the club should contact Paul Dobbie on 07989 837268.