A THRIVING youth club is on the verge of closure because it is about to be made homeless.

The 4Youth Centre, in Tower Street, Brightlingsea, was set up 12 years ago by a group of residents keen to provide a place for young people to meet.

But the dilapidated building, which has no heating, needs thousands of pounds of repairs and has been declared unsuitable.

Margaret Tay, who runs the centre, said: “If we can’t find anywhere else in the town to be based, we will have to close temporarily at the end of the month.

“Our volunteers do not want to work over the winter if there is no heating and the building is simply no longer fit for purpose. We are pursuing other options and I am hoping we can find a solution because the youth centre is the only one in Brightlingsea and it would be a great shame if this was to happen.”

The centre attracts about 150 youngsters, aged seven to 17, each week.

It runs sessions on Wednesday and Thursday afternoons and Thursday evening.

The owner of the building plans to sell it in the future.

Mrs Tay and her fellow volunteers were honoured earlier this year for their work when they were invited to a garden party at Buckingham Palace.

Alan Goggin, Brightlingsea town councillor, said the town council had been working to try to find a suitable venue.

He added: “All they really need is somewhere to call their own, but it is proving almost impossible.

“There is a distinct lack of available premises in the town and it’s a problem for a number of groups here.

“They do a fantastic job there and really fill a niche in Brightlingsea and it would be a great shame and a tragedy if they had to close.”