A LEIGH homeless project, which has helped hundreds of vulnerable young people, will shut down next month unless a last-minute benefactor comes to the rescue.

The doors will close on Bold Street's LEAP centre on July 19, leaving struggling youngsters - some drug addicts - to fend for themselves.

Leigh Young People's Housing Project secretary the Rev Alan Gawith said: "It is tragic, but it looks like the end of the line. It will be a sad day, but we are hoping that some aspect of the drop-in centre can be kept going in some way."

The scheme, which was launched three years ago with backing from the national children's charity, NCH, has failed to secure local authority funding.

It recently appealed for £50,000 to buy some time but no aid has been forthcoming.

Now, before the closure, the group has been busy organising a last-ditch display to show the public why LEAP's work has been important and why it should be continued.

Users, staff and helpers have written stories and poems, mounted collages and made videos of the important work done. These will go on show in Leigh Library foyer from June 12 to 18.

Mr Gawith said: "LEAP should not close without our Leigh community knowing more about it. There is a lot to celebrate over the two to three years of the group's life.

"It is all very sad. The greatest thing we have achieved is seeing youngsters become aware of their sense of worth. The human price to pay in the lives of those young men and women will be great.

"Many youngsters who have been assisted come from broken homes or needed help after leaving local authority care. Others have become involved in the drug culture and found the backing to escape it.

"If LEAP finally closes, we could see some of them turning to drugs and drink." Mr Gawith asked the group users to write down their feelings about its threatened closure. As a result, he composed the following work from their words.

It is just a sample of what will go on show at the exhibition. IF 'LEAP' SHUTS Doomed to disappointment

Devastated

Angry at this bad, sad, day.

Feeling helpless

Isolated

And hopes running into

The Sand,

Followed by boredom

Empty nothingness

But loss...

And where shall we go?

How shall we know?

Can wishing, longing, needing

Stir LEAP into life again

Like phoenix rising from the ashes?