VOLUNTEERS hoping to save Beaminster Youth Centre are appealing for helpers and "friends" to come forward to offer support.

Dorset County Council will cut funding for all youth centres across the county, including Beaminster and Bridport.

A business plan to save Beaminster Youth Centre has been submitted to the county council, and volunteers who want to help a new charitable trust are being urged to come forward.

Paula Buxton, who currently works at Beaminster Youth Centre, said she hoped there would be "somewhere safe" for young people to go to in the town.

She said: "There's been a big fight to try and retain the youth centre as it remains at the moment.

"We will close as a service at the end of August this year. The youth club, as it stands, won't be there anymore. Hopefully we can set up a charitable organisation."

Gil Streets, who is leading the campaign to save the youth centre, said the county council will allow a youth club to operate at the Prout Bridge premises.

He said: "We have presented a business plan to Dorset County Council.

"Beaminster, however is doubly fortunate, in that the town council has pledged some financial support and, subject to final agreement, Dorset County Council will allow the youth club to continue to use the premises at Prout Bridge.

"I have been working with Beaminster Town Council and a number of volunteers to put forward a rescue package. We propose to set up a charitable trust to manage the future youth club, but we still need some more people to come forward and volunteer to help."

Mr Streets said he wasn't in a position, at the moment, to accept donations for the new trust - but encouraged as many people who want to help, to get in touch.

He added: " I will continue to talk to anybody who shows an interest.

"What we really need is some volunteers. We need some people to help with administration, some people with experience accounting and book keeping. If anyone would like to become a charity trustee, that would be very welcome. Above all, we need some friends.

"We intend to launch a Friends of Beaminster Youth Club. Anybody will be able to support.

"At this stage, I cannot ask for money as I don't have a bank account to put it. Dorset County Council has been very reasonable and is going to maintain the building in Beaminster so we are a little bit ahead of others."

A spokeswoman from Dorset County Council, said: "The DCC owned building at Prout Bridge, Beaminster will indeed be used to host a youth club run by the trust.

"Once the trust is established, they will be able to book rooms within the building. We will also be making the building available for use by other community groups."

Anyone interested in helping the trust can telephone Gil Streets on 01308 862908 or by emailing gstreets@trefoilhouse.co.uk