A SOUTHAMPTON youth project threatened with closure because of a lack of cash has re-opened its doors, thanks to an appeal by the Daily Echo.

We highlighted the plight of the Townhill Park Youth Project, known locally as The Zone, which had to close its doors last month as the funding to pay youth workers dried up.

After reading that the project in Benhams Road could remain open if just 12 volunteers were found to give up three hours of their time a week, four people came forward.

The Zone opened its doors again this week and will now be able to run one night a week.

Fundraiser Leesa Betteridge said the project could reopen properly if just eight more people volunteered.

She said: "The children are absolutely ecstatic that we can open, but they need more than one night a week. We've got everything going for us - it's volunteers that we need.

"More volunteers and we can open another evening, possibly another two or three evenings.

"All that's required is three hours a week. Nobody has to do more than one evening and it's only three hours an evening. It really can be rewarding."

Jade Fisher, 14, is a regular at The Zone and said it was a vital facility for youngsters in the area. The teenager, from Laburnum Road, Swaythling, said: "It's somewhere to go and there's nothing to do outside. The Zone is a big part in all of the members' lives.

"It's a place where we can go for advice, help, a safe place to hang out and it also keeps us off the streets and out of trouble.

"I was a bit gutted when I thought it was going to have to close because I go there every night when it's open.

"If it goes there will be nothing for the youths of Townhill and the surrounding areas to do and nowhere to go."

Anyone who can help should call Leesa Betteridge on 023 8057 0055 and leave their name and phone number.