The closure of a youth club last year in Menston has left the village with little provision for young people.

Since The Menston Youth Club closed teenagers in the village have been looking for a place to "hang out."

Julia Bateson, secretary of the Menston Community Association (MCA), said the youth club was located on the premises of Menston Primary School, but was not actually run by the school.

The club was designed for teenagers, but because it was based at the primary school it was not well attended and this was one of the reasons that forced it to close down.

Paul Johnson, manager of Bradford Youth Services, said: "The Youth Service endeavours to make young people aware of what is on offer but has no control over whether or not they choose to use these facilities."

But he said that the club was closed because the building it was housed in was in poor condition and the site was needed to build an extension to the primary school.

He said: "However, as the young people from Menston mainly attend schools in Guiseley, Otley and Ilkley and tend to socialise in these areas, after careful consideration, we decided not to replace the centre in Menston."

Mrs Bateson said the current lack of facilities for teenagers is the reason "all of the children go out of the village."

She said: "There are a large number of teenagers in Menston and there's no provision for them. There isn't anything for them at all."

While she noted most teenagers "don't like anything too organised," she said: "They want somewhere safe, warm and with a CD player that they can hang out."

Mr Johnson said: "There are a wide range of activities available to this age group in Guiseley, Otley, Ilkley and Burley-in-Wharfedale, such as access to sports facilities, the performing arts, youth workers and youth projects."

But for Menston, Sue Green, also a MCA member, believes that Scouts or Guides are the only activities available for teens.

She said the village should look at places like Burley-in-Wharfedale, which has a youth club.

Mrs Green said by looking at "what sort of set up they have" she said it could give her an idea on what could work for Menston.

Burley Youth Club is located at Queen's Hall, on Main Street, and is open from 7pm to 9pm on Mondays and Wednesdays and Mr Johnson said one of the main attractions is an Internet caf.

As for the younger children in Menston, Menston Primary School head teacher Iain Jones said the school recently conducted a survey of parents and discovered that the main curriculum request was the need for more extra-curricular activities.

Although the school has an athletics club on Tuesday nights, he said a lot parents make their own provision for their children.

Mr Jones said: "Parents who send their children to this school have a history of supporting their children and their interests.

"They want the best for their children."