THE popularity of a housing association-funded youth club has resulted in it moving to new premises.

The youth club in Stokesley has moved from its old home in a building at Stokesley fire station to the methodist church in the high street.

The move was necessary due to rising numbers of children using the club, which runs every Tuesday evening during term-time.

Being in the church hall has given The Clock, the charity which runs the youth club on behalf of Broadacres Housing Association extra space, enabling it to run activities.

Jackie Garratt, activities coordinator at The Clock, explained: “At the old building we only had access to one small room but in the methodist church we have a room where we can do arts and craft and another room where the children can play sports, plus we have access to a kitchen so we can also do cookery with the children.

“We’re also getting more volunteer support from the church, Rotary Club and Stokesley Primary School, which means there is a real community partnership.”

There are around 70 children registered at the youth club, with an average of 25 children attending regularly.

The Clock also run two other Broadacres-funded youth clubs; at the association’s Rivendale complex in Northallerton and at The Clock’s centre in Thirsk.

Ms Garratt said all three clubs are well-supported and proving very popular with children.