NORTH Somerset MP Dr Liam Fox has vowed to work with supporters of Portishead Youth Centre to ensure a youth service is maintained in the town.

On Friday Dr Fox, who is patron of the youth centre, made his first visit to the Harbour Road building since the completion of its �1million refurbishment.

He said his long association with the centre means he has seen it grow over the years and develop in to something quite spectacular.

The future of the centre has been in question since North Somerset Council announced major cuts to its youth provision budget, resulting in the removal of funding for all youth workers at the centre from March 30.

Pledging his support, Dr Fox said: “We will work together to seek funding to ensure a youth service continues at Portishead Youth Centre.

“We will be investigating alternative streams of funding and are looking into the possibility of unlocking funds from Central Government.”

Portishead Town Council has already agreed to give the centre �25,000 to help it keep the doors open.

Dr Fox spent two hours at the centre talking to youth club members, staff and volunteers.

In addition to the youth club, the centre is home to daytime pre-school activities, drama, dance and music groups and it hosts Portishead’s community radio station, Radio Dynamic.

It also runs a community caf� which is open from 9am-6.30pm Monday to Friday. Youngsters in the town are currently trying to help raise funds to enable the caf� to also open at weekends.