A job club in danger of closing has been saved by a £1,000 injection from Bridport Town Council.

Skills Training Bridport, which has been running Fresh Start since September last year, took over the volunteer job club as part of the project as it was on the verge of collapse.

But the Dorset Skills and Learning group did not renew its grant, leaving money needed to employ a leader short.

Ros Kayes, Skills Training director said: “We feel it would be a disaster if the job club had to end. In addition to the traditional job club activities it is offering one-to-one sessions with a life coach and one to one business and interview skills support as well as workshops in CV writing and interview skills.”

So far the club has helped 35 people get full or part-time employment and training and three have set up their own businesses.

Skills Training has found £2,000 of the £3,000 needed to keep the club open until September next year.

Town clerk Bob Gillis said at the finance and general purposes committee: “They need another £1,000 to keep going.

“Earlier on this year councillors agreed £1,000 towards a potential co-ordinator for the project.

“In the event that post didn’t materialise so as things stand at the moment the council hasn’t given any money to Skills Training Bridport during the current financial year.

“They do say that other successful job clubs have paid facilitators such as Sherborne and Axminster.

“It has proved very difficult to maintain a job club on a voluntary basis.”

Mayor Cllr Maggie Ray said she thought the job club was very important and should be supported.

She said: “If we can keep it going for £1,000 we should do it and if we show our support for it then that will help attract more funding.

“I think we need to be seen to be supporting things which combat unemployment.”