FIVE years after Wiltshire Council cut its budget for youth services by £250,000 and got rid of most of its youth workers Devizes Youthy has finally closed.

The club which rose from the ashes under a band of volunteers in 2015 nine months after the council's cutbacks has been using Devizes Conservative Club as a temporary base for the past nine months.

Last year the club was told it could no longer used the Southbroom Centre next to Devizes School as this was being re-furbished to become the Yarn Day Centre for people with disabilities.

Last summer volunteers led by youth club chairman John Saunders appealed through the Gazette for a new place to meet where it could put up table tennis and pool tables and keep the rest of its kit.

But now Mr Saunders and other supporters have had to admit defeat.

He said: "During the last few months, things have gone badly for Devizes Youthy. We came to the conclusion that it was time to close the club."

At a final committee meeting last month attended by paid youth leader Annica Bowen, volunteers and members the lack of a permanent home so the club could provide the activities members wanted such as football and pool were given as the main reason for the decision to shut.

It was also reported that some members had challenging behaviour and which were difficult to cope with in a shared building. But the meeting also noted: "There have been several very loyal and helpful members and we have enjoyed their company."

Back in March when the club had to leave the Southbroom centre the committee was upbeat about its future telling members: "This is not the end of the youth club. We will be looking to re open the club. Fingers crossed for a brighter future for Devizes Youthy."

But that was not to be and now the club faces selling off any assets and paying money back where possible to those who have given grants such as Devizes Town Council and Devizes Area Board.

A spokesman for Wiltshire Council said: "In 2014 we changed to a community-led model for youth activities across the county, meaning communities are working with their young people to provide the activities young people want to do, where they want to do them.

“Although there have been reductions, Wiltshire Council is still investing and prioritising youth services for young people who need additional support – which includes targeted youth and children’s services as well as the community led youth model. Most importantly, vulnerable young people will continue to receive all the necessary support they need, and we will ensure young people’s needs can be addressed at the earliest opportunity.”