YOUNGSTERS who have benefited from a community project have joined forces to protest against its closure.

Users of the Marc, or Middlesbrough Activity and Resource Centre project, united for a demonstration outside its base, in Bedford Street, on Wednesday evening.

They claim that the first they knew of the centre's closure was when a sign was posted on its door.

Now they are hoping that its directors will reconsider their decision to pull out and reopen what they say is a much-needed facility.

Imran Khan, 18, who has been involved with Marc for three years, said: "When the project was set up, the idea was for a resource centre providing information for young people about things like health matters and jobs. It has helped me quite a lot.

"We voted in the directors, but they haven't informed the young people of what's happening."

The manager of Marc was unavailable for comment, because she is absent from work due to stress.