HASLEMERE Town Council will continue to fund youth work in Haslemere after agreeing a deal with Surrey County Council.

The county cut funding for the youth service in St Christopher’s Road last year, following an 11 per cent reduction for Community Youth Work across the county.

It alos decided to move youth workers to Godalming and Farnham, where it claimed there was a greater need.

It meant Haslemere lost its professional youth workers, although the Wey Centre stayed open with volunteers running sessions.

The professional youth work at the St Christopher’s Road centre includes a health and well-being session with counselling and advice on contraception, alcohol and drugs, services which volunteers at the centre are not qualified to give.

In November, Haslemere Town Council discussed funding the gap using money left over in the Community Fund.

It also looked into taking over as a permanent employer for the post.

Now after negotiations with Surrey the county council will become the employer taking responsibility for training and management costs, while the town council will fund one three-hour session a week, with around £3,000 available for the rest of the financial year.

Haslemere Mayor Sahran Abeysundara told last week’s town council meeting the money was needed urgently because there was a “spike” over the summer holidays when the most disadvantaged children were left in need.

A meeting would be arranged with the youth workers and the churches which provide the volunteer service to find out what was needed.

Councillor Abeysundara told the Herald: “We will work together to make sure the youth of Haslemere are taken care of.”