A college in Watford has rescued a programme aimed at getting troubled youngsters back into work or full-time education.

The Prince's Trust Team Programme, run by the Watford YMCA, faced closure after vital funding was suddenly pulled at short notice last week.

The programme benefits dozens of young people, many of whom are homeless, have drug and alcohol problems, a history of offending or anti-social behaviour.

For the past 15 years the YMCA has run the project three times a year in Watford, Stevenage, Welwyn Garden City, Broxbourne and Luton.

The schemes were funded by North Herts College. However, because of the increasing demands placed on the college it had to scale back its expenditure, cutting funding for the Watford and Hatfield schemes.

However, after making public pleas, West Herts College, in Watford, has stepped in to pay for the important programmes.

Ruth Ellis, director of operations at the YMCA, said the charity only found out it had lost the funding for the programme last Friday.

Ruth said: “The YMCA is delighted with the support it is getting in Watford. We have to find the funding and North Herts College was funding Hertfordshire basically.

“They have had to use the funding in Stevenage because of the number of youngsters staying at college or going into college because of the financial situation and the lack of jobs.

“They have to use their money in Stevenage, which is understandable.

”It was a bit of a surprise at short notice, though.”

She said she was “delighted” the 12-week programme, which takes 16 to 25-year-olds on residential courses, gets them working in the community, helping charities and gaining work experience, will continue.

Ruth added: “The college is now going to fund it and work with us.

“They will be helping 45 young people and we will encourage those 45 youngsters on these three programmes to help them look for a job, to help them get back into college, go to college or whatever.”