WILTON’S youth centre has closed, little more than two years after Wiltshire Council leader Jane Scott opened it.

The centre on the old middle school site also served teenagers who were brought in by minibus from surrounding villages.

The county has cut back on direct provision of youth services due to financial pressures.

It is giving area boards money to spend on “positive activities” for young people, run by volunteers, instead.

However, people hoping to step into the breach do not yet know whether they will be able to use the youth centre building, which belongs to Wiltshire, or what will happen to the equipment there.

Wilton rector Mark Wood said: “They haven’t said what they are going to do with it.”

Revd Wood chairs Wilton Middle School Educational Trust, which has funds and is eager to help fill what he called the “gaping void” in provision for young people.

But he said: “What we need are skilled workers.”

His trustees are meeting tonight to decide what to do next. Mayor Phil Matthews has called for a breakdown of the running costs of the centre, said by Wiltshire to be £10,000 a year.

He said the town council might try to take on the building under a community asset transfer.

Mr Matthews recalled the opening night in February 2012, when Cllr Scott was photographed playing snooker with the teenagers.

He said: “Wilton Town Council is not happy with the way Wiltshire Council has abandoned the youth service.

“It is somewhat ironic that one of the people who helped get a youth centre was the present leader of Wiltshire, who attended the opening and who is now closing it – and all for the sake of a few thousands out of a budget of hundreds of millions.”

The town’s Wiltshire councillor Peter Edge said: “I and my colleagues on the South West Wiltshire area board are extremely disappointed that there is nothing in place for young people in the changeover period.”

A spokesman for Wiltshire Council said: “Communities are now taking on organising youth activities and in Wilton they are exploring a number of options so as many young people as possible can have access to activities they want to do.

“We will be discussing with local stakeholders the options for the current youth centre building and its role in the local community.

“The Local Youth Network, which includes young people, is in the process of being set up for Wilton and will be formally recognised at the area board meeting next Wednesday, October 8.

“There are also plans to hold a launch event when local groups, volunteers and young people can take part to help set priorities for the future and local groups will be encouraged to bid for funding.

“Across Wiltshire we already have more than 50 accredited organisations who have trained, skilled staff as well as volunteers to help ensure our young people can enjoy their activities with the right support in place.”