The future of an organisation that has been keeping young people off the streets since 1965 has been assured.

Brookside Boys Club in Buckton Road in Borehamwood has been saved from closure through a grant of £9,000 from national organisation Sported. 

The charity, which aims to leave a lasting legacy from London 2012 by transforming the lives of disadvantaged young people through sport, will give the funding over a two-year period.

It also linked the club up with two business mentors, Watford-based Freedom Communications and EK Procure, which is based in St Albans, which supported the club in their application.

The club, which is open to children aged ten and above, is the only one of its kind in the area and attracts between 30 and 40 boys a night.

It provides a safe environment for children and young people to socialise, develop skills and take part in a range of sports while reducing anti-social behaviour in the wider community.

It offers snooker, pool, basket ball, darts and other games on the outside astro turf, and is open Monday, Wednesday and Thursday from 7pm.

The grant was arranged by secretary Tara Clark, whom club leader Richard Clark thanked for all her hard work.

He said: “This funding means that we are able to remain open for the foreseeable future and continue to support our members. 

“We would also like to thank Sported for providing the funding and the support which has been shown.”