I FIND it incomprehensible that a youth theatre, namely Stagecoach, will have to foreclose because of financial constraints.

One was always led to believe that City of York Council prided itself in supporting youth programmes, even encouraging the younger generation to participate in sport, hobbies and pastimes to keep them occupied and off the streets and encourage their talents.

We are not all blessed with being proficient in football, cricket and other more physical activities on offer, but wish to diversify in other fields of leisure and entertainment.

Theatre productions, amateur or professional, engage people of many age groups and talents, be it behind the scenes or treading the boards and give pleasure to many people.

Stars of stage and screen, past and present, have graced our living rooms after starting their careers from such humble beginnings. A proportion of those can be defined as home grown.

With the ever-increasing threat to leisure facilities such as swimming pools, sports clubs and playing fields set aside for commercial development, we face an uncertain future for generations to come.

Kenneth Bowker,

Vesper Walk,

Huntington,

York.

Updated: 11:10 Friday, January 13, 2006