A VITAL youth facility that has been helping Droitwich youngsters for around 40 years is set to close.

Droitwich Youth House, based in Old Coach Road, will shut its doors at the end of the month after a review of services by Worcestershire County Council.

The site, which is run by the authority, gives teenagers in the Witton and Chawson area of Droitwich a place to meet and socialise. It also offers advice sessions, regular activities and a popular space for bands and performance groups to practise.

Councillor Tom Noyes , who represents the Chawson Ward on Droitwich Spa Town Council, said: “It’s a shame the centre is closing. It has been running for many years and there are many good things going on at the site.

“There will be a lot of young people wondering where they can go and what they can do once it closes. I have heard there are plans to start another group in its place, the quicker this can happen the better.”

Charlie Arrowsmith, 15, who regularly uses the centre, added: “We have been told it is going to close at the end of the summer holidays. I know a lot of people that use the centre so this will be a big blow for young people in the town.

“My band has practised there for the last year. The youth house took us in when we had no where to practice and we are all very disappointed it’s closing.”

A Worcestershire County Council spokesman said: "As part of our positive activities commissioning work, agreed by cabinet last November following a consultation that attracted comments from around 2,000 residents – of which 1,400 were young people - services will stop being delivered at Droitwich Youth House at the end of August 2012. Instead activities will be commissioned at a local level based on local need by county councillors working with young people.

"To ensure there are no gaps in provision, county council staff will continue to deliver activities for young people in the area at other venues from that date until a new service provider is identified and in place. This is expected this autumn."