Trafford Council Leader David Acton has played down fears that Flixton Youth Centre is on the verge of being demolished - but he admitted that the building needed extensive repair work, which could cost in the region of £250,000.

The facility on Flixton Road, which is more than 50 years old, is still being used by the region's youngsters and also serves as a polling station.

Flixton Cllr Jonathon Coupe said: "It is a shame that this Labour Council, which claimed that youth facilities would be at the forefront of their agenda, have allowed this youth centre to deteriorate to this extent."

And Cllr John Ackerley said: "It would be an absolute tragedy if this facility were to close. Thousands of Flixton, Davyhulme and Urmston residents have used the youth centre over the years."

He said the famous '60s band, Herman's Hermits, for whom he acted as sound engineer, played its first gig at the centre.

He added: "We're hoping to get enough support behind us to save the centre and keep this great facility open."

But Cllr Acton said the demolition of the venue had not even been considered. He said: "The Council has not agreed to demolish Flixton Youth Centre. I have been told that it is in need of urgent repairs, and these will be considered."

He said the Labour Council had been repairing many buildings across the borough, but others had fallen into a state of disrepair under the last Conservative administration.

He said: "We've spent significant amounts of money on repairing buildings, but we're still making up for 20 years of Tory neglect."