TWO youth clubs are expected to shut as a result of council cutbacks – and it will happen sooner rather than later, predicts a Wiltshire councillor.

On Tuesday evening, Ludgershall councillor Chris Williams told town council members that Ludgershall and Tidworth youth clubs will both shut.

Wiltshire Council’s Cabinet member for children’s services, Cllr Laura Mays, is to go before the area board at Enford on 21 July to explain what is going to happen.

Cllr Williams said: “It is no secret to say that as far as Wiltshire is concerned youth clubs will close sooner rather than later and the campuses will become the focus for youth activities.

“It was proposed at a council meeting as a way of saving money – we will not be spending money on buildings but on services that fit the community.”

In Ludgershall, the property is owned by the Boys’ Club but is still a cost for the council to rent and maintain. The building is expected to return to the club’s control.

In Tidworth, the youth club is owned by the MoD but the council still faces the cost of maintaining it.