PLANS to use a youth centre in Hartlepool as a rugby clubhouse may be approved when borough councillors meet on Thursday.

West Hartlepool Rugby Club has applied for planning permission to use Brinkburn Youth Centre as a clubhouse on Sundays, from 11am to 3pm, for three years. The club uses the centre on Sundays, but the lease is due for renewal and it has had to re-apply for planning permission. The club also uses the centre on Saturdays, although planning permission for that runs out on April 30.

The clubs intend to use the youth centre to cater for the club's youth section, which has been using Brinkburn pitches since August.