West Lavington Youth Club, which this week was presented with a Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service, is also celebrating a remarkable change in its fortunes.

Lord Lieutenant of Wiltshire John Bush officially handed the award to the club on Monday evening in recognition of its work in keeping local children off the streets and away from the lure of drink and drugs.

The club was set up 18 years ago by veteran actor George Baker, best known as TV detective Reg Wexford, after he saw youngsters huddling in a bus shelter in freezing temperatures.

Through his efforts and those of other volunteers, the club now has its own premises beside the village hall.

However, in June, just as the club learned it had won the prestigious Queen’s Award, it also learned that its application for funds from Wiltshire Council had been turned down. This meant it could no longer pay the wages of the youth workers who run the club and could only open two nights a week, instead of its normal three.

But this week Mr Baker was able to report that the money is now forthcoming.

He said: “We were able to keep going through the summer because the staff were willing to work for half pay. This was very good of them, especially as many of them don’t live in the community they serve.”

Mr Baker, despite he and his wife Louie Ramsay suffering ill health, has been busy raising money. He took part in an episode of Celebrity Cash in the Attic and raised £1,800 from the sale of some of his possessions.

Then he organised a concert featuring TV star Simon Shepherd and local songstress Barbara Gompels. West Lavington and Market Lavington parish councils chipped in £500 each and then the Wiltshire Young People’s Opportunity Fund came up with a grant of £7,800.

Mr Baker said: “This means we will be able to return to four-night a week operation in March next year.

“When I started up the club 18 years ago no one thought it would last. No one wanted to help and it was a valiant few who kept it going.

“Now everyone is putting their hands in their pockets to help. It is very encouraging.”

Mr Baker is about to go into hospital for a series of operations after breaking his hip earlier this year. He appeared on Celebrity Cash in the Attic being regally pushed round in a wheelchair.