A LIFELINE has today been thrown to an under-threat Port Glasgow youth club.

The Tele revealed earlier this week how there were fears that teenagers would be left out in the cold after a voluntary committee who ran the hall it was based in suddenly quit without warning after 17 years of sterling service.

Community-spirited locals have now stepped in and vowed to get Park Farm community hall back up and running.

Council leader and Port representative Stephen McCabe has also pledged his support, offering back-up and cash support.

Mr McCabe said: “I would like to reassure the local community that if a new group can be established they will have the full support of the council on taking over the running of the hall, including a similar level of financial support that we provided to the previous committee.” The youth group had been running for nearly a decade and other groups — including a pensioners’ association — used the hall too. It was also popular with bingo players, with regular evening games held there.

Inverclyde Council sub-let the building to Inverclyde Leisure but it is a voluntary-managed hall and a meeting over the future of the facility is being held next Tuesday between all the relevant parties.

Councillor McCabe praised the previous committee for their tireless commitment and hard work.

He said: “I’d like to pay tribute to the previous committee.

“It is not an easy job running a community hall and they have served the people of Park Farm with distinction over a long number of years, putting in many hours of their own time on a voluntary basis to make sure that others had somewhere to hold their various activities.

“Park Farm has been one of the best run community halls in Inverclyde.”