A YOUTH club set up to reduce anti-social behaviour is facing closure because of a shortage of money.

The cash crisis at the Youthy, in Catterick Village, near Catterick Garrison, has left volunteers criticising funding providers.

The club was launched by Jim and Catherine Jamieson. They decided to act after teenagers caused trouble outside their home.

Up to 20 young people aged 14 to 19 have met at the Booth Hall every Thursday evening since March.

However, Mrs Jamieson fears last week's meeting may have been the last.

She said: "I think we have helped turn a group of teenagers that was destroying things into a group that created things.

"But now, we've only got £30 left in the kitty.

"Everybody that originally said there was money available is now not letting go of the purse strings.

"We think there's a personal element to this and people aren't helping because they don't like me and Jim."

Mr Jamieson added: "We feel disappointed and depressed about how it has turned out."

The couple took the youngsters horse riding and organised events to help the community, including litter picking.

They had hoped to buy entertainment and sports equipment to attract more youngsters to join.

Club member Jason Skinner, 16, said: "The club got us in off the streets. We were causing a lot of grief to people in and around the village.

"Jim and Catherine have put a lot of time and effort in and to see the club go under would be a real shame."

The couple applied to several funding providers, including Richmondshire Community Safety Partnership.

However, they withdrew their application after the partnership requested further information.

Mr and Mrs Jamieson claim the funding committee was putting unnecessary barriers in their path.

This is denied by Lynda MacDougall, community safety partnership coordinator.

She said: "They put in an application for funding to the community safety partnership.

"But there were issues regarding the application.

"The funding group wasn't saying 'no', it was saying that before it could reach a decision, it would need further information."

The Jamiesons are also critical of the Co-Op, which has a store in the village. The club applied for a grant of £1,000 but was offered a television costing up to £100 to raffle.

A spokesman for United Co-Op said they received a large number of applications for funding. The committee believed the donation of a combined television and video would help the group raise money from a raffle, he said.