BAD behaviour and attitude problems among youngsters attending a youth club in Great Ayton have forced it to close.

Jackie Kirk, one of the six leaders of the Methodist Youth Club, said that the section for 11 to 16-year-olds, which meets from 8-10pm on Fridays in the Methodist church hall, had closed.

She would not give specific examples of the behaviour which led to the decision but described it as a build-up of things.

She said: "They just didn't care about it. It was different things, with different kids on different weeks, and the leaders called a meeting and decided that they don't appreciate what we do for them, so we might as well concentrate on the younger children."

She explained that children's attitudes changed once they started attending comprehensive school.

"It's behavioural problems. The little things each week mount up and we got to the stage where we wondered if it was worth it.

"They go to the youth club because there isn't anywhere else in the village for them to go to hang out with their friends.

"There's scouts and brownies, as well as the football and cricket club, but no drop-in centre or caf where they can go."

She suggested a purpose-built community centre with a full-time youth worker would be ideal.

"In the Seventies and Eighties, there were three youth clubs in the village and there always seemed to be plenty to do," she added.

Rumours in the village that an incident near the youth club on the last Friday evening before half-term was linked to the decision for it to close have been quashed by police.

Sgt Dave Merrit said: "The matter was dealt with swiftly by police. Two people were arrested for public order offences and they have been dealt with. It was not linked to the youth club.

"It would be unfair to think everything that occurs on a Friday night in Great Ayton relating to kids is always linked to the youth club because it's not."

He went on to explain that, like many other places, there was a problem in the village with youths hanging around on street corners, something he hoped to tackle through the local Hambleton Community Safety Partnership problem-solving group.

Sgt Merrit said that the police, local councillors and other interested parties had formed the group to look at the problems with youths in the village.

"The group is progressing and the idea of creating a drop-in centre for youngsters is being actively pursued," he said.

"Facilities in Great Ayton for youths are somewhat restricted. We want to make the village a more pleasant place for everyone, and if we find somewhere for the kids to go, they're off the street, causing less concern to other residents, as well as reducing crime and disorder."

The earlier youth club session for eight- to 11-year-olds will continue to operate, starting on Friday, June 20, from 6pm-7.45.