A YOUTH club that only recently re-opened after being damaged during serious flooding has had to be shut down again - after a second disastrous deluge.

Northallerton Youth Centre - formerly known as the T-Zone - had to close after the great floods of November 2000.

Virtually the entire contents were wrecked as water poured into the club, situated in the basement of North-allerton's listed town hall.

The club was only able to re-open again three months ago after a massive clean-up programme and help from local people.

But following a torrential downpour the club has now been flooded again, to a depth of about 18ins, and once more it has had to be closed down.

Soft-furnishings, computer equipment, a VCR and a television were wrecked by the water and it all needs to be replaced. Other items stored in the kitchen area were also destroyed.

Treasurer Peter Cole said yesterday: "It is very frustrating for us and very disappointing for all the young people that use the club.

"We were just re-establishing ourselves and the numbers of young people using the club were growing when this happened."

Because of the club being in the basement of the town hall it has proved impossible to get flood insurance so again the club will be calling on people to help.

Town mayor Jack Dobson, a member of the youth centre's management committee, said they had to be positive about the situation, which was not as bad as that of November 2000.

"We want to be open again by the end of the current school term and as mayor I would appeal to the people of Northallerton to help us."

Mr Cole said: "We are ultimately hoping to find alternative premises, but the club has now been running for 15 to 20 years and we need to let young people know we are here."

Anyone who would like to get involved with the club or join the management committee is asked to contact Mr Cole on (01609) 783877.

* A £6,700 boiler in the town hall which was bought after the deluge of November 2000 was also damaged in the recent flooding.

However, it is expected to be still useable once it has been thoroughly dried out and cleaned.