A campaign has been launched in a north Suffolk village to help save its youth club from facing the possible axe.

The 30 young people who use the Hangout in Kessingland, near Lowestoft fear they will lose their youth club because of swingeing cuts in Suffolk County Council's budget.

Under the council plans the Hangout will lose funding for two part time staff who are central to running the Francis Road building.

Members and volunteers from the hangout now face the prospect of raising �12,000 over the next year to replace the council-funded staff.

Organisers fear if the �12,000 is not raised the number of sessions for young people aged 11-19 will be cut.

A worse case scenario could see the club, which opened in 2002 close as volunteers may struggle to run it.

As well as providing a place to meet and activities, such as pool and computer games, staff have helped some young people overcome personal problems such as drug abuse.

However a fight back has begun at the Hangout as the first in a series of fund-raising events will be held on Thursday, April 14 at Livingstone's bar and restaurant. The night will include acoustic music, curry and a pub quiz for teams of up to four.

Michele Mouzer, Hangout senior youth worker, said: 'Kessingland is a large village and there are a long of young people living there.

'It would be devastating for them if the Hangout closed. It provides support to people growing up and the problems they may have.'

Eight other open access youth clubs in Waveney are set to close or be handed over to voluntary groups to help save the county council �660,000 in its 2011/12 budget.

The divestment of open access youth clubs is necessary because of the result of the government's saving requirements, the council says.

The event at Livingstone's starts at 7pm with the quiz starting at 8pm. Tickets are �6.50 and can be ordered by calling 07714256275.