A youth club could be forced to close its doors, because of a lack of adult volunteers.

For many years, the weekly Kids Club at Grove Community Education Centre has been the hub of social activity for almost 70 youngsters aged between nine and 11, offering supervised fun, music, crafts, and sport.

However, youth workers have become exasperated at the lack of support from parents. Before breaking up for the summer, the Thursday evening youth club was staffed by one paid worker and three volunteers. Both volunteers have now left and, unless at least one volunteer is recruited, the club will not reopen in September.

Youngsters over 12 will still have the Knite Club in Grove and the Senior Club in Wantage, but there are no other clubs for younger children.

Youth worker Niki Herring said: "It is desperate. I am going to feel terrible telling people it has got to close. The kids love it and look forward to it all week, but the club has become a victim of its own success, and is viewed by some adults as a baby-sitting service. When we restricted the age group we had an uproar from parents. But despite having 70 members, not one parent came forward."

She added: "It is not money, it is volunteers we need, and unless we get some we will be closed from September. We want people to give something back to their community and help young people."

She said youth clubs had important roles to play in the community.

"Young people learn to socialise, pick up new skills and become part of the community. We also give them somewhere to go which is theirs.

"It would be very sad if it closed, as it would be the young people who would lose out. There is nothing else in this area."

Oxfordshire county and Vale of White Horse district councillor Jim Moley said: "I can see the problems adults face nowadays. Both parents tend to be working and people have less time. Schemes like this are terribly important and it would be so sad to see the club close."

Anyone interested in receiving training and qualifications as a volunteer, can call Mrs Herring on 01235 225789.