A PUBLIC meeting is being held to discuss the future of a community centre that was forced to shut down.

More than 60 people have protested against the closure of Brotton Community Centre, after the centre's trustees had to close the hall because no members of the public attended its annual meeting.

Only two committee members turned up to the meeting, at the centre in Laburnum Road, Brotton, forcing the disbandment of its management committee, which needs between eight and 12 people.

The hall, leased by Redcar and Cleveland Borough Council, is used during the day and every evening for events including dog training classes, and bingo, and groups including the over sixties and a junior jazz band.

Richard Rudland, from Brotton Community Forum, said: "It gave everyone a real shock when it was closed a fortnight ago.

"There is a very strong swell of people in Brotton who want to keep it open. It's a charitable organisation so it needs people to run it.

"Brotton has got very few community facilities and seems to be under siege at the moment."

He said a temporary home had now been found for the under-threat youth club, which will meet at The Church Education Centre, in Saltburn Road, Brotton.

Its previous building is due be demolished to make way for building of the new Freebrough Community College.

Councillor Steve Kay, cabinet member for education on Redcar and Cleveland Borough Council, said: "It has been our intention right from the start to provide youth facilities at the site."

The council's cabinet member for culture, leisure and tourism, Councillor Dave Fitzpatrick, who will chair the public meeting about the community centre, said: "We know there are a lot of people who enjoy the facilities offered at the centre and want to see it open as soon as possible.

"The council and the trustees agree with those sentiments, but we need people who are willing to be on the management committee - without them, we can't move forward.

"We are sure the community will support what we're trying to do and we will all get the end result we're hoping for - the reopening of the hall."

The meeting takes place in the centre on Monday, at 6pm.