TALKS are continuing over the future of Hatherleigh Youth Club.

The club, which last year boasted more than 100 members, closed following an increase in rent at the town's community centre.

Centre trustees said they had been reviewing hiring costs and during the process the Tuesday Youth Club was informed of a "fairly substantial" price increase in line with covering costs.

Trustee Gary Bush said: "This was back in November 2009. They decided not to pay it and to move the club to alternate premises.

"As trustees we looked again at what we could do and offered them a new price which was between what they had been paying and the original increase and does not cover the full costs.

"This was informed to both of the main leaders during December or early January. However they decided not to accept it.

"The club did actually stop running for a while but due to the lack of a female leader — not due to the price increase. The last that I had heard was that they have now accepted the new cost."

Youth worker Jane Elliott established Hatherleigh Youth Club in 2005 and it was managed by Seize the Moment in partnership with the Hatherleigh Area Project.

Jane said the club is considering the offer from the community centre but is taking advice from Devon County Council as the membership numbers have dwindled and it has lost workers and volunteers since the closure.