THE vital role Portishead Youth Centre plays in its community has again been recognised by the town council.

Councillors recommended approval of a �20,000 grant at its meeting on December 12, to help fund the centre’s professional youth work team for 2013.

The future of the centre, especially its work with young people, came under threat when North Somerset Council withdrew all funding for general youth work across the area earlier in the year.

However, with the help of grant aid and constant fundraising, the centre has maintained its youth work in the community and is now a thriving centre in use seven days a week.

The meeting heard that Portishead Youth Club attendance has exceeded 5,500 this year and around 70 primary school pupils use the junior youth club every week after school on Tuesdays.

Preschool soft play and craft sessions which take place during the day have attracted around 5,000 under fives so far this year, and almost 200 children’s parties have used the venue.

Independent activities run at the Harbour Road centre also provide activities for young people. These include music, drama, dance and martial arts.

Centre manager Alan Rowe said: “We are extremely grateful for the continued support from Portishead Town Council and appreciate the fact it recognises the importance of the town’s youth centre.

“Some towns in the country have been forced to stop providing vital youth work due to lack of funding, but this community values the centre and its staff and it understands the necessity for qualified youth workers to be available to work with our young people.”

For more information about Portishead Youth Centre and the youth club which runs within it, visit www.portisheadyouthcentre.co.uk