A PIONEERING youth project that draws youngsters to its Halliwell base from across Bolton is having to cut its opening times by half.

The Harmony Youth Project, based in a former mill on the Wordsworth Trading Estate, is suffering from lack of cash and adult support.

Dozens of youngsters have attended sessions on Saturday afternoons and Tuesday evenings, but now the Tuesday evening is to be stopped.

Founder Charlie Barrett said: "We just don't have enough adults to look after the numbers of youngsters we get. So, reluctantly, we are having to close on Tuesdays from next week."

The project was started three years ago and quickly caught the imagination of youngsters aged from 11 to 21 with its blend of music, theatre, video and recording sessions.

In rented premises, there is a recording studio, a dance and drama studio and a multi-media suite, created with help from the Government organisation Connexions and from Children in Need.

Youngsters pay 50p entry twice a week, and Harmony has proved so popular that between 60 and 70 young people turn up for sessions.

However, a Bolton Council spokesman said: "We are in the process of talking to Mr Barrett about how we can support him."

Mr Barrett is also appealing for qualified youth workers to help at the project. He can be contacted on 07989 476994.