A WATER sports training centre, run by a charity to help young people on Teesside, has been saved from the threat of closure.

The Water Activity Centre, based at Hartlepool Marina and run by not-for-profit organisation the West View Project (WVP), looked likely to close if it couldn't bridge a £21,000-a-year funding gap.

However, it has been saved after some radical financial restructuring just in time to pay its quarterly rent.

The centre runs training courses and activity sessions for young people aged from eight to 18 from schools, colleges and youth groups. Last year, it welcomed more than 3,500 youngsters.

But it came under major financial pressure after the Government scrapped the Working Neighbourhoods Fund, from which it received money.

The WVP's other, land-based activities were not affected.

Substantial savings have been made by the water sports centre moving out of its rented premises at Navigation Point, overlooking the marina.

The marina management gave WVP use of a secure storage area for its water sports equipment and the use of waterside changing facilities.

It means that the project, which had made a desperate plea for financial support from other charities, will be able to run water-based activity sessions, including canoeing and kayaking.

Chris Wise, WVP development manager, thanked Hartlepool Marina and said: "The changes which we have made have put our waterbased activities on a much firmer footing and we are now looking to the future with considerable confidence."

Allan Henderson, director of the marina, added: "We have worked together with the West View Project for many years and were only too happy to help out. We are always keen to support activities like these and we hope that the young people enjoying time on the water now will grow up to be the Hartlepool Marina customers of the future."

The WVP has been running for more than 30 years and has an overall budget of just under £300,000. The water activity centre has been operating for eight years.

For more information about WVP call 01429-272699 or visit its website at wvp.org.uk