A YOUTH club which has served Burnley for more than a century will continue to operate despite public funding cuts.

Earlier this week, Burnley Boys’ and Girls’ Club was identified as one of a number of centres set to suffer as a result of County Hall bosses’ attempts to find £8.4million as part of the £179million cuts programme over the next three years.

The county council will no longer provide the club with six qualified and vetted youth workers.

But John Melvin, the club’s youth leader, said the with-drawal will not mean the end for the Barden Lane centre as it is privately owned and run by committee.

He said: “We’ve been going for 112 years and there is no way on earth that we will be finishing.

“Don’t get me wrong, it will be difficult. I’m not being disrespectful to Lancashire County Council because I’m grateful for the 30 partnership, but we ran for 80 years before they came along and we will keep going for another 80 years now they’ve gone.”

Originally known as Burnley Boys’ Club, the centre was established in 1899 by Captain Henry Davison Riley.

In 1968 it merged with Burnley Police Youth Club and girls were allowed to join and participate in activities.

The club now has around 300 core members.

Anyone who is interested in supporting the club, financially or by volunteering, should call 01282 424038.