HOPES are high that two under-threat facilities for young people will be saved from the axe tomorrow.

Protesters launched a petition last month against proposals to close the Youth Connections hubs in Burns Square and Leven Road.

Almost 1,000 people have signed a petition against the proposed closures.

It was recently handed over to Labour councillors Natasha Murphy, Gerry Dorrian and Colin Jackson.

Cllr Jackson says he is hopeful that the facility will be spared at a crunch council budget meeting tomorrow.

He said: “It was great to meet with community volunteers and activists representing Larkfield and Leven Road Youth Connections.

“Hundreds have signed their petition to save these much needed facilities from budget cuts.

“I was delighted to submit the petition on their behalf to council officers. 

“I am confident that common sense will prevail and both centres will remain open.

“I can’t stress enough how important community centres are and the admiration and respect I have for those who willingly give their free time to help others.”

Cllr Murphy added: “Our community facilities are something that we want to protect.”

Courtney Stewart, 16, who attends Inverclyde Academy, says the facilities are a lifeline for the whole community.

She said: “They should not be closed down as there wouldn’t be anywhere for people to go. Without them we wouldn’t have anything to do.”

Community activist John Houston, who helped to launch the petition, says 941 people have signed it.

He said: “Larkfield had a history going back a number of years where it was overrun by youth crime.

“One of the ways they tackled that was by opening facilities like Youth Connections, so closing them would really be a backwards step.

“We need to challenge this.

“These facilities are hard-fought for but easily lost at the stroke of a pen.”

Council officials have prepared 40 budget saving proposals and increases to charges as the local authority fights to bridge a funding gap. 

The council says closure of the Youth Connections facilities would save £90,000 in 2018/19 and £120,000 across 2019/20.

A decision on them will be made tomorrow afternoon at a meeting in the Municipal Buildings.