A YORK youth club is set to close as part of a shake-up that has also thrown the future of two pre-school groups and a Gateway Club for disabled youngsters into doubt.

Teenagers who attend Melbourne Youth Club in the Institute building in Escrick Street will be forced to go elsewhere from the end of March.

A long-running playgroup, a toddler group and the Gateway Club, based at the centre off Fishergate, could also be homeless by summer.

Playgroup officials today hit out at the "sly and underhand" way the council handled the closure - and claimed officials kept them in the dark.

As part of a youth service shake-up, leisure chiefs have decided not to continue leasing the Institute from Melbourne Terrace Methodist Church.

Rachel Whittaker, 36, a play assistant, said the council never told the pre-school groups about plans to stop renting the building.

She said: "Officially we never heard anything. The only people told were the youth club because it is run by the council.

"It has been very underhand and sly."

The play assistant said: "The church says we can stay here until July, but then it has to decide what it wants to do with the building.

"We're hoping they will say rent it directly from us, but will they want the responsibility of maintaining it?"

With the Barbican closed for redevelopment, alongside newsagent and sub-post office closures, Fishergate services were being slowly eroded, she said.

"This is going to leave a large hole in the community."

Ward councillor Andy D'Agorne said: "This is a valuable community resource that should not be closed down on the whim of the council with no consultation."

Paul Herring, head of City of York Council's youth service, said the planned closure was part of a youth service restructure to provide better support for youngsters.

He said alternative youth activities would be available.

"Although the youth group will close at the end of March, the council will not terminate the lease of the site for several months, during which time the other activities based at the centre can carry on as normal."

"We hope to be able to negotiate to see if the other activity groups may be able to takeover the lease in due course."

He apologised for lack of "firm communication" and said a meeting would be arranged.

The matter is likely to be raised at Fishergate Ward committee at St George's School, at 7.30pm tonight. The meeting is open to the public.

Updated: 10:06 Thursday, February 17, 2005