A STAFFING crisis at Bridport's youth and community centre means young people will no longer be able to meet regularly there on Fridays but there are other new initiatives on the horizon.

An emergency meeting with club members last Friday made it clear how much the youngsters want their Friday Club to continue in some form - with the firm view that opening occasionally was better than not opening at all.

So now the Friday club is to open once a month but with the addition of a new monthly senior Saturday club.

Dorset County Council's senior youth worker for West Dorset, Arthur Woodgate said the staffing crisis - which saw five people off sick or with personal issues in one week - meant the decision to close was unavoidable.

Of the five staff who have been off sick, two have said they won't be able to come back at all.

Mr Woodgate added: "When we've spoken to young people about the situation they have been very understanding, but have been worried that what has happened has had something to do with them. Like the rest of us, they can tend to blame themselves unnecessarily."

Last Friday night the remaining youth workers met with a representative group of club members to try to find a way forward and hear how important the club is for youngsters.

Adam Gay said: "In here you're safe. People are here that you can trust."

Vince Hook added: "I'd rather be in here than out in the street. If you have a problem there are people here you can talk to."

Until more youth workers could be recruited everyone agreed that it made good sense to open occasionally rather than not at all.

Jade Fishlock, 13, posted a questionnaire on the internet socialising website BEBO.

She said: "64 people responded and 95per cent said they would come to a Saturday night club, and 75 per cent said they would stay in all night."

It was agreed that the Wednesday senior club would remain open every week, and that the Friday club would open once a month, starting after Easter, on April 29.

A new Saturday senior club, for school Year 9s upwards, will start on May 5, which would also see the re-introduction of the successful 'Friction' music night club.

Josh Davies, 16, said: "Friction is a mix of rave and dance. We want to encourage people into performing. An open mike could be fun: a bit like Karaoke, but more making up stuff as you go along. It could help build confidence."

Olivia Hussey, 16, Jade and Josh will be advertising the new schedule on the 'BEBO and My Space websites.

Other activities at the Youth and Community Centre in Gundry Lane - Bandits Motor Project, Evolution Basketball, Humph Sound Studio, 'Stuff' Youth Café, Young Parents' Group. Pre E2E Training, Summentor Club etc - remain unaffected.

For more information, or if you feel you can offer some help, contact Arthur Woodgate on 01308 422500.