Newent's youth caf, the Chill Out Zone, is facing a fresh cash crisis, with funds set to dry up to critical levels by next spring.

Mayor Fred Passant is expecting a shortfall of at least £10,000 and this could double if the John Paul Getty Junior Charitable Trust pulls its financial support.

Last spring, after National Lottery funding ceased for the Broad Street caf, Coun Passant secured £10,000 from the trust for this year, with the promise of the same amount a year for the following two years.

But these windfalls are not guaranteed and are dependant on the trust being given a satisfactory report at the end of this year.

Coun Passant, the Chill Out Zone committee treasurer, is determined that the caf will remain open to benefit the 100 youngsters who now use it every week.

He said: "Grant applications will be going in to various bodies within the next few weeks. The caf is a very important part of life for the young people of Newent. It is now open four nights a week and alternate Saturday afternoons."

The caf currently has £15,000 in its kitty towards next year but annual running costs are around £36,000.

Unless new funding is sourced, it would be impossible for the youth caf to operate at its present levels in the next financial year.

Coun Passant is busy writing a youth caf newsletter, outlining its successes and financial challenges.

Copies will be sent out various funding bodies in the next two weeks.

Coun Passant said: "I would like to have assured funding but that's not the way it is."