A POPULAR village youth centre is set to close in October due to the effects of wear and tear on the building.

More than 100 children are registered with Caister Youth and Community Centre in Yarmouth Road, and between 30 and 40 visit the centre during the week.

However, the ageing structure is set to make way for a new Tesco store and �1m village centre, which will be the youth centre’s new home.

A planning application is yet to be submitted to Yarmouth Borough Council by developer Tamsland and building work on the new supermarket, which will be twice the size of the existing store, may not be completed until 2013.

But Pat Hacon, one of the centre’s trustees, was hopeful a new home could be found for the youth groups during the interim period until the development had been completed.

He said negotiations were taking place with other organisations to find another venue for the youth centre’s meetings.

Tony Overill, chairman of Caister Parish Council, said alternative accommodation had been found for most of the centre’s users including the village’s Methodist Hall, church hall and village hall.

He added: “Some will move into the church hall. We are not chucking them out into the cold.

“The youth and community centre will not stand another winter’s wear. It is old and miserable.”

The new Caister Centre will boast a 200-seater room for public meetings and outdoor games area.