The memory of George Baker will live on at the youth club he started in West Lavington 20 years ago.

The committee of the youth club decided to name the centre in honour of their founder and in recognition of his tireless efforts.

Actor Mr Baker, who died last month aged 80, made his home in West Lavington 22 years ago.

He started a youth club in the village when he saw a group of youngsters huddled in the bus shelter one evening in freezing weather.

From small beginnings, meeting in a pub in the village, the club raised £100,000 to build its own premises next to the village hall and now 80 youngsters regularly attend.

Mr Baker was awarded the MBE for his work with the youth club in 2007.

At Mr Baker’s funeral service last week in West Lavington his family accepted the youth club committee’s suggestion that they rename the centre The George Baker Youth Centre – Home of West Lavington Youth Club.

Youth club chairman Eric Freeman said: “Several of the committee members almost instantaneously said the same thing, that we should rename the youth centre in George’s honour.

“We thought it was a very appropriate time to do it.

“He has done so much in 20 years for the club.

“I don’t think people always know how much is involved in these things.

“George was a busy person but he gave the club lots of time, going to committee meetings, until his health was not so good.”

Mr Baker had personally raised thousands of pounds for the youth club through various events including concerts involving stars from West End musicals to even selling antiques on TV show Cash in the Attic.

Mr Freeman said: “George just gelled with young people. To all of the members of the youth club he was just George.

“He tried to get along to the evening sessions to see how they were doing and encourage them in different things.”

A date for the renaming of the centre has not yet been arranged. It could also be combined with a tree planting ceremony.

Mr Baker’s family have told the youth club committee that they want to donate a port decanter holder presented and inscribed to Mr Baker at the end of his time on Inspector Wexford to the youth club and for it to be auctioned with the proceeds going to the youth club.

Mr Freeman said: “They thought it would be rather nice for the youth club to benefit from it and it’s really wonderful of them to do that.”