West Lavington Youth Club is facing having to cut its opening hours – at the same time as receiving a national award for keeping young people away from drink and drugs.

The club, which has 80 members aged between 11 and 17, has been given Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service. But the club, which needs £15,000 a year to run, has been turned down for two grants to fund the running costs.

A £9,000 bid to the Wiltshire Young People’s Opportunity Fund was refused, ironically by a panel of young people from Wiltshire Assembly of Youth.

A bid for £6,000 from a private charitable foundation was also turned down.

The club, set up by actor George Baker 18 years ago, will only open on Monday and Tuesday nights after June 15. The club usually opens on Thursday and Friday nights as well. It will also close for the summer holidays.

Treasurer Lyn Dyson is looking for other funding bodies to make up the £9,000 shortfall but unless Mr Baker can organise a fundraising event, the club will re-open for just two nights a week from September.

Mrs Dyson said the club will be unable to use paid staff and will have to rely on volunteers. She is unsure how it will pay its heating and electricity bills.

Mrs Dyson said: “We are hoping we will be able to replenish our coffers by September.”

Mr Baker, who was made an MBE for setting up the youth club, said: “It is a pity this wonderful award came at the same time as the news that our funding has been refused.We have a great team of staff we have trained to look after the young people to the highest standards.”

The youth club received £6,000 in March last year to help build a BMX track and a further £4,500 to help staff the club from the former Wiltshire County Council’s Youth and Community Service. But this year the club had to apply through the WYPOF.

A Wiltshire Council spokesman said: “Each application is measured on its own merits. While we recognise the important work at West Lavington youth club, there are many other valuable projects throughout Wiltshire.”