A POPULAR North Yorkshire youth centre has gained a reprieve after fears it would be forced to leave its premises.

Thirsk Clock is based in the town’s Market Place and the lease on its building comes to an end in March this year.

The building’s landlords are the Nationwide Building Society and urgent talks have been held between the groups.

The lease has now been extended and the youth centre can stay until June.

The Thirsk Clock has been looking for new premises for some time and it is hoped the extension of the lease will allow it to find somewhere.

Linda Gibbon, chairwoman of the Clock’s trustees, said: "After full and frank discussions with representatives of the Nationwide an amicable agreement has been reached which will allow us the flexibility we need to relocate.

"The building society has also agreed to meet again in March to jointly review progress on our relocation plans.

"Should we, at this point, require more time for these plans to come to fruition, they have agreed to consider a further extension of the lease for this purpose."

Thirsk Clock started in August 2002 and offers a haven and advice to the youngsters in the town and its surrounding villages.

The centre failed to move to the former Fourways guesthouse in 2006 and is based next to the Nationwide in Thirsk.

Councillor Janet Watson, Thirsk mayor, said: "I would be sorry to see it close and it’s to be hoped it continues and carries on the good work."

Anne McIntosh, the Vale of York MP who covers Thirsk, said: "I want to place on record the good work they do for the area.

"I’m hoping to get in touch with the Clock to find them the best location possible."

The fears over the lease were first raised in December by the Clock’s trustees.

A spokesman for the Nationwide said: "I think Thirsk Clock would agree they have out grown the building.

"There has been some problems with youngsters outside the Clock upsetting our staff and customers.

"We have to look at that and it’s a balance between Thirsk Clock’s needs and our operation there."