A YOUTH club facing closure in Winchester has been rescued.

Hampshire and Isle of Wight Youth Options will take over the King Alfred Youth Activity Centre (KAYAC) next Monday.

It stepped in after talks with Winchester City Council, which has helped to fund the independent venue for several years.

Cllr George Beckett, who leads the authority, announced the £20,000 deal that will see Winchester-based Youth Options step in to get the club back on its feet following a change of management.

Mark Dixon, chief executive of Youth Options, said the club, which is more than 60 years old, was hoping to expand its activities including daytime services such as training for school leavers without jobs.