THE youth of Horrabridge are celebrating after their club was approved a large grant from Youth Opportunities.

Members of the youth club have been trying to save the building and keep the club going for the past two years, and recently they managed successfully to put together various grant applications.

The club received money from the Youth Network group and Horrabridge Parish Council, which will fund a youth leader and, hopefully, a supporter for 12 months.

The '60s-style' youth building is currently on land which was purchased in September 1964 from Isabel Smythe of Sortridge. A good friend of hers had donated £500 to the youth club in February 1962, which is thought to have been used to fund the purchase of the land, and the subsequent building.

Janet Kenndall, the treasurer of the youth club, said: 'As you can imagine, the building is in need of rejuvenation, and we were making headway on this until we had a setback twelve months ago when the then youth leader unfortunately had to resign.

'Since then we have attempted to obtain the services of volunteers, but it is a commitment that many find difficult to make in today's world of full-time working parents.'

Chairman of Horrabridge Parish Council Don Yendle said the council was delighted with the news that the youth club had received a grant.

He said: 'We are delighted and that is why we are co-funding the project. It is very good news for the youth club.'

The youth have also received funds for new equipment, the majority of which has now been purchased, and is waiting to be used.

Janet said: 'We are also hoping to be able to renew the heating system in the not too distant future.

'The club would like to thank the continued support of the Horrabridge bingo group whose profits go into the youth club's coffers to help with running costs — without them the club may well have had to close.'

The club will be open to the youth two nights a week for three and a half hours a night.

Horrabridge youth are looking to re-open the club at the beginning of September with a curry night and some music from Paul Dobbie, youth organiser for Devon, and Horrabridge PCSO Rob Walsh. Date to be confirmed.

Anyone interested in the position of being Horrabridge's youth leader and who has relevant qualifications can contact Paul Dobbie on either 07973615163 or 01822 617131 by August 8.