A YOUTH project helping to reduce anti-social behaviour in a North Yorkshire market town plans to move to bigger premises.

Thirsk Clock has already secured more than £300,000 from a national funding body to buy a new building.

Hundreds of young people use the current facilities in the market place, which youth workers say are now too small.

Manager Abigail Homer McGhie said: "Before the service began, young people admitted they were getting into trouble out of boredom.

"It's been much more popular than we ever anticipated. In the last 12 months, more than 200 young people have used the facility.

"When we move, we will look to extend and develop what we have got and fill in some of the gaps.

"The youngsters are quite excited and their biggest worry is if we can't find a building, as they say it would be worse to lose Thirsk Clock than to have never had it."

The project, supported by local police, offers a safe meeting place for young people.

It also arranges activities and gives advice and support on issues including sexual health, family problems and careers.

Police officers have worked with youth workers to resolve some minor problems.

But PC Kevin Brookes said: "We have had few problems with Thirsk Clock and indeed we have found it a bonus having it there.

"Before it was there, we had a problem with youngsters hanging around the town centre in holidays and winter nights as there was nowhere else to go."

Thirsk Clock, an independent charity, opened just under two years ago.

The lease on its current property expires next March but staff are hoping to move before then.

Project bosses are currently looking at a number of possible sites for the new premises in Thirsk.

They will not disclose the source of the £300,000 funding until a national announcement has been made.

Bids for about £250,000 have been submitted to other groups.

A public appeal for more cash may be launched, depending on the cost of the new building