A £400,000 LIFELINE to save a sports and social club which unearthed the talent of Wales footballer Nathan Blake could be lost - unless locals support it.

People living near the Spencer Boys' Club, in Ringland, Newport, are being urged to get behind the club's revamp or risk losing out on all lottery funding.

Community association treasurer Chris Francis said: "It is up to the local people now, we have done all that we can."

The doors of the Spencer Boys' Club were closed for the last time 18 months ago by Newport council when the building was judged to be dangerous to the public, ending 30 years of tradition with the loss of a club that was admired throughout South Wales.

A lifeline appeared, thanks to the determined efforts of Spencer Boys Regeneration Committee, Ringland Community Association (RCA), Newport Borough Council and SPORTLOT, the body which hands out lottery cash for sporting projects in Wales. But the bodies who have pledged the funding want to know if the local community really wants a "leisure and learning" centre - or whether the money would be better spent elsewhere.

Now residents are being asked for their support. RCA treasurer Chris Francis said: "If we can't show that local residents are interested, then we could lose all the money - it's up to residents now."

Questionnaires sent out via the community newsletter resulted in "disappointing" feedback of around 17 per cent, and the RCA is now pinning its hopes on a fundraising evening next month.

Members of the RCA are also planning to pay professional consultants at the University of Wales to carry out a residents' survey.

If built, the new club would offer 70 per cent of its resources to sports for all ages, and 30 per cent to learning initiatives.

Residents can show their support at a special fun meeting at Ringland Labour Club on Friday, May 10, at 7.30pm. There will be inexpensive drinks, a disco and bingo.

*PICTURED: Chris Collins, chairman of Spencer Boys regeneration club (seated) and standing(from left to right) Gary Taylor GAVO development officer, PC Grant Taylor, police community safety officer and Chris Francis, treasurer of RIngland community association. Inset: The Argus reports the grant hope