AN OXFORD youth club has become so popular it is hoping to bus youngsters in from other parts of the city, but it needs volunteers to drive its minibus.

Wolvercote Young People’s Club provides a place for young people from the village to meet up and have fun.

Membership has more than trebled since the club employed a full-time youth worker in September – and now it is looking to get more young people along.

Youth worker Hannah Kinross said: “We are really well supported by volunteers but more people to help drive the bus would be great.

“We have a minibus but if we could get some kind of rota going then it would be easier for people to make a commitment.”

When Ms Kinross joined the club there were about 40 youngsters using it.

But that has risen to about 150 and there has been interest from other areas of the city, including Jericho.

Ms Kinross said: “We are their nearest facility but some young people may find it hard to get here.”

The Wolvercote club offers youngsters aged between seven and 19 the opportunity to take part in a wide range of activities including cooking and street dance.

The club, which was formed as a charity in 1939 by a group of parents and members of the community, has been hit by cuts in Oxfordshire County Council funding and faced closure in 2011.

The St Peter’s Road club meets on Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday evenings, charging 50p a session.

Trustee Tony Hewlett said: “Anyone wanting to volunteer has got to like children but they have also got to hold a minibus licence and have a CRB check carried out.

“There is also an age limit of between 25 and 70.”

  •  Anyone willing to volunteer as a driver is asked to call 01865 559374.