A WELL-used resource centre in Pill, which faced having to shut because of a lack of funding, has been saved from closure.

Bosses at Pill Resource Centre feared the facility would close at the end of this year because funding to keep it open had run out.

But the future of the centre, based in the village precinct, has now been secured thanks to a grant from Pill and Easton-in-Gordano Parish Council and pledges of support from a team of volunteers.

The centre, which is run by the Pill Community Foundation, deals with about 5,500 inquiries each year and offers a number of services to the local community.

It will now be run by a team of volunteers from the foundation and local residents.

Earlier this year the Post reported how the centre, which costs about £90,000 a year to run, faced closure this Christmas because funding had run dry.

Pill Community Foundation chairwoman Jane Hunt said: "The news that the centre has been saved from closure is a fantastic boost for the people of Pill.

"No one wanted the resource centre to shut because it is such a valuable facility for the local community."

The parish council has earmarked about £20,000 to support the running of the centre and will now base its office in the building.

The centre currently offers IT, food hygiene and first aid courses and the Citizens Advice Bureau, local solicitors and the benefits service also run regular surgeries.

A youth drop in is held twice a week and a range of activities are organised throughout the holidays for young people in the village.

It is hoped that all the current services will remain at the centre and bosses are hoping to introduce some new ones.

Sadly, two members of paid staff, including the centre's community development worker, have lost their jobs because the funding ran dry.

Mrs Hunt said: "We are very much hoping to offer people the same level of services as we always have.

"We are also talking to North Somerset Council about basing some new services here as well and are hoping, through fundraising, to continue with the youth work.

The centre launched in 2000 with a Government Single Regeneration Budget (SRB) grant and when that funding ran out, the Lottery stepped in.

But that funding ran out at the end of 2007 and the centre, which is run by the Pill Community Foundation, has been threatened with closure ever since.

Following frantic funding bids, a grant was awarded by the Fair Share Trust through the Quartet Community Foundation, which meant the centre could continue to operate until the end of this year.

Pill parish council chairman Gerry Hunt said he was delighted the resource centre was to remain in the village.

Councillor Hunt said: "There are people in the parish who would not be able to access vital services if the resource centre wasn't here.

"Keeping it open means the advice and help they may need is available on their doorsteps."

It is hoped that the centre will open Monday to Thursday, close on Fridays, and open again on Saturday mornings.

Volunteers are needed to help run the centre and anyone who wants to get involved should contact 01275 375670.