A JOB club is at risk of closure due to a lack of funding.

Bridport Job Club, which meets every week at Bridport Library, is appealing for help to keep it afloat. Volunteers who run the club are asking local people to help keep it open by making a donation or by setting up a direct debit to become a 'friend' of the club.

Bridport Job Club is held every Tuesday afternoon and has been run by local community group, Skills Training Bridport, since 2012. Before 2012, the club was run by a volunteer group which collapsed because of the lack of a paid role.

Tony Benson, project co-ordinator, said: "The problem with cuts to local government funding is that as more and more voluntary groups are getting funding cuts from local councils, they are all now competing for the same small charity funding pot.

"We are looking to set up a 'friends of' scheme to give us an assured income stream."

The club has a co-ordinator who works four hours per week and several volunteers, including volunteer mentors who help people who wish to set up their own businesses.

It has a strong record of helping local people to find work.

Mr Benson added: "We desperately want to achieve stability for this? vital? service to our community into the long term future.

"Other kinds of support may come and go but this club has been running for years and you never know when you might benefit from its expertise.?"

Cllr Ros Kayes is supporting the job club.

She said: "Something like this, which provides a great service but which is run on a shoe-string?, needs some minimal professional support to keep it going - and that's what the funding is for, as well as for printing costs and newspapers.

"Weekly, it helps around 20 to 25 local job seekers with job searches, CV writing, interview skills and completing application forms. It also helps job seekers find voluntary work and work experience and most importantly motivates people to never give up.

"It also help with IT skills, reading and writing.?"

Any person or business who wishes to support the club should contact Tony Benson by emailing skillstrainingbridport@gmail.com or by telephoning 07544483821.