QUICK action is required to find suitable premises for permanent youth facilities in Farnham town centre - that is the message from young people at the Bourne Youth Initiative (BYI).

The Herald spoke to a group of pupils from Weydon and Eggars Schools, who use the BYI's information facilities at Firgrove Hill and who felt there was a real lack of central meeting places for teenagers.

Their concern follows the demise of plans to convert Montrose House in South Street into a multipurpose drop-in centre offering a social meeting point, careers and advice service.

In order to keep the concept alive councillors from both Liberal Democrat and Conservative parties and representatives of community groups organised a public meeting which was due to take place yeaterday (Thursday) at Church House at 8 pm.

BYI's main youth worker, Wes Bell, and some of those using the BYI centre, expressed their views on Farnham's provision for its younger population.

"I was surprised by the number of young people who did not know about the Montrose House plans. I echo their feelings on facilities for them in the town," said Wes, who offers confidential advice and support to those of school age in The Bourne.

He said it was important for young people to have somewhere they could go to get advice, and that Montrose House would have offered a range of professional services under one roof.

Darryl Randel (14), of Lower Bourne, said: "We would like a place in the town that we can meet people and play together.Somewhere which is friendly."

Agreeing with him, Ryan Glazier (16), of Weybourne added: "We need a youth club in the centre of town, and also some more football facilities. I had heard about Montrose House and thought it was a good idea, a place to meet people and hang out."

Adam Durrant (15), said: "It's not too bad here, but we need somewhere bigger with more facilities. If we had more facilities in the town, more people would visit it.

"Most of the time we end up going to Aldershot or Guildford which costs us a lot. Something like Guildford's Bo-Jangles club would be good laugh here. It would brighten up Farnham with some more nightlife for young people."

He said the Maltings had been a good place for people to meet up with the monthly "metal" music night which ran there last year, but was cancelled after problems with noise levels at the venue.

According to Daniel Guttridge (15), the town really needs a place for young people to socialise and said there was "not really a lot round here at all for them".

He added: "The people that put on youth clubs try hard, but we need other things to do on other days when they are not running.

"The sports centre needs to be improved. A youth centre with pool tables and computer games would be good."

Daniel added they needed somewhere in which they felt they were not being overly watched by police, as is often the case with gatherings of teenagers.

Though he understood why older people living near Montrose House objected to the scheme, he felt it should have been given a fair chance.

Councillor David Munro said losing the Montrose project was a "great disappointment," but he was keen to find a way forward involving as many people as possible.

"We will have to find somewhere else, but I am not sure where that is in the town centre. There will be lots of suggestions at the public meeting," he added.