POTTERNE Youth Club is on the verge of reopening. The club, in Silver Street, has been closed for about 18 months due to a lack of volunteers.

New club leader Sandra Cutler said the community had rallied by providing donations and people had done unpaid work to ensure its reformation.

Mrs Cutler is one of 11 people on a committee which was recently formed.

A mother of two, she said: "We just thought it was a shame that the youth club was closed and that it was a waste of a building.

"My husband Cliff and I got together with a few people and asked if we should reopen it, and it took off from there.

Last month people volunteered their time to clean out the youth club building.

It had been vandalised, and a false ceiling had been broken together with a window.

Gaigers repaired the ceiling for free and Jewsons donated paint brushes and rollers.

Mrs Cutler said youngsters had also helped in the clean-up.

She said: "They did a lot of work in the garden because it was overgrown. At the moment we are painting the walls and children can't wait for it to reopen.

"I can't open my front door without a group of kids outside asking when it is going to reopen.

"We just have a few more things to sort out such as getting a new fuseboard fitted, which we intend to do this week, and new fire extinguishers."

She said it is intended to reopen the club in October and it will start off for one or two nights a week to gauge interest.

It will be open to youngsters aged from six to 16. Sessions will be held for six to ten-year-olds and 11 to 16-year-olds.

At least £150 has been forthcoming from villagers and equipment has also been donated.

Youth Action Wiltshire has donated a pool table, Devizes Snooker Club has donated four new snooker cues, the George and Dragon pub in Potterne has donated a darts board and Kennet Furniture Exchange has given the club a secondhand sofa.

The club is affiliated with Youth Action Wiltshire which supports youth clubs all over the county.

Maggie Giddings, club development co-ordinator at Youth Action Wiltshire, said: "There is a strong committee in Potterne and they have been working hard to get this club open again.

Adults and young people have worked hard to clean up the building because it was in a mess and had been vandalised."

The club does need more games and is appealing for donations such as a Twister game, PlayStation and computer games plus an outside picnic bench.

If anyone wants to donate any equipment to the club please contact Mrs Cutler on (01380) 721563.