CAMPAIGNERS have vowed to fight on to save a popular Winsford youth centre.

The New Images centre was first rescued seven years ago when the building was taken over by Verdin High School.

The lease is guaranteed for another three years but following the decision to set up an academy, run by education sponsors E-ACT.

Campaigners believe the future of New Images is in doubt againand Mike Kennedy, chairman of the newly reformed New Images Supporters Action Group fears the building could be earmarked for demolition as part of the academy construction plan.

He said: “We worked tirelessly seven years ago trying to safe guard this building.

“The same is happening again - nobody has consulted the children or the users.

“The action group wants to know if it has to be demolished where is the funding coming from for alternative premises.”

A spokesman from the academy said: “We are more than happy to continue the existing arrangements with New Images on the existing site until a potential new build is completed.

“This is compatible with E-ACTS wish to enhance youth and community engagement through the establishment of the Academy.”

However, staff at the centre say they want a long term guarantee that secures them a home if the plans for a new academy building go ahead.

Chris Moore, supporting the campaign, said: “I don’t trust the fact that there will be a new building for us if they knock this one down.

“We have 60 to 100 children come her on a Friday night, if we don’t have a new building where will they go?

“We’ve already lost all the facilities they said we’re going to have under Cheshire County council, we haven’t had a penny spent on us so we are sceptical of the local authority.”

Mike, who was involved in the two-year public campaign last time, said funding for the centre in the beyond the next three years must be identified.

He said: “All the council are doing is highlighting the fact that we have got the building until 2013.

“We believe we had sent enough evidence to ensure this should at the very least be the case.

“We must now look to the future, the ideal option for continuity would be for the youth centre to stay where it is with badly needed improvements.

“The first hurdle is to identify funding as none has been identified at this time.”