BACKWELL Youth Club is appealing for �13,000 to enable it to keep running next year.

The club, which is now run by Rainbow Ltd, has applied to Backwell Parish Council for a grant to ensure the club stays open.

The youth club is open on Mondays and Thursdays and more than 25 children from the village attend to meet friends and take part in a wide range of activities.

Michael Pratt, chairman of the youth club’s management committee, said: “The grant is absolutely essential to keep the club going next year for the young people and the village - so we can help young people enjoy socialising without being a burden to the village.

“Rainbow Ltd is excellent. I put my neck on the line to get it going and it’s been a huge success.

“Numbers are up and the children have started doing more activities such as first aid, cooking and making cakes for the over 60s tea party.

“It gives kids who don’t want to go to more formal clubs or sports clubs the opportunity to just meet up with friends.

“It also gives us a chance to increase their awareness of citizenship.

“It’s important that we keep up all the good work done by Rainbow and the staff.”

Rainbow took over the youth club in April after North Somerset Council withdrew funding for youth clubs across the district.

The club runs indoor and outdoor activities for youngsters in school years seven-12.

A small amount of the grant will be used to pay for vocational training for a former member who has recently been volunteering at the youth club.

The bid will now go on Backwell Parish Council’s wish list to be decided by the full council in January.

Chairman Bob Taylor said: “The youth club is very important to the village. It’s brilliant and we are over the moon with the setup.

“A grant for the youth club would be money well spent. It’s good to invest in the young people.”