A COMMUNITY group is up in arms after its funding was slashed by Hackney Council. Hackney Modern youth club in Stamford Hill will no longer be able to run its holiday club following the council s decision to remove £18,000 of funding...

A COMMUNITY group is up in arms after its funding was slashed by Hackney Council.

Hackney Modern youth club in Stamford Hill will no longer be able to run its holiday club following the council's decision to remove £18,000 of funding.

The 13-week program which runs during the summer holidays has had to be scrapped along with a whole host of planned events and outings for youngsters in the area.

The group which has been in operation for two years had its application for funding rejected by Hackney Council's Youth Service.

Residents and members of the group gathered outside their centre on Lynmouth Road, Stamford Hill on Tuesday to protest against the cuts.

Group Director, Diane Pungartnik, said: "We're one of the most successful groups in the borough.

"I simply can't believe they've cut our funding for the holiday club, where are these kids supposed to go now, there are no leisure facilities here at all."

"With all that's been going on in Stamford Hill recently, I would have thought the council would want to support a group like us but obviously not."

"It feels like they've forgotten about North Hackney to be honest with you."

The group has been running for two years while Ms Pungartnik has been running youth programs in the community for more than 10.

The club offers activities ranging from football training to literacy programs and Maths and English tuition.

A spokesman for Hackney Council said: "The Council has been inundated with applications from organisations for playscheme project grants.

"Sixteen organisations have been chosen. Hackney Modern has not been recommended to receive a playscheme grant for this year.