Parents and residents in Pinner are desperately trying to get equipment for a youth club which is aiming to help steer teens away from drugs.

The club, which is set to be run from Pinner Hill Community Centre, needs new equipment to draw in youngsters, and organisers are calling for people to send in donations.

Debbie Steers, chairwoman of Pinner Hill Tenants' and Residents' Association, is championing the idea and hopes toys and games will flood in to get the club up and running as soon as possible.

She said: "Everyone agrees that children need something to do to keep them out of trouble, especially as we move into the winter months.

"There are no clubs or centres for teens in the area, and a youth club would help get them away from problems such as drugs, which seem to be on the increase.

"The community centre isn't really used that often and it seems a waste not to make use of the space."

At present the community hall in Pinner Hill Road is used just twice a week for a toddler group, Tiny Tots, and it is hoped that they too will benefit from donations.

So far the idea has received strong support from The Pinner Association, a group which looks after the interests of residents in the area, and is now calling for more help from local businesses.

Mrs Steers added: "It looks like we are going to get a table tennis table and a pool table donated from The Pinner Association, which is a fantastic start.

"We are not looking for money, we just want stuff that teens and toddlers could use.

"Up until now the toddlers' group has used toys and equipment that parents don't need any more, and it would be nice to give them some more."

James Kincaid, chairman of The Pinner Association, has praised the idea and hopes others follow with donations.

He said: "We are very supportive of the initiative and they are doing some fantastic work in the area.

"We are prepared to do all we can to get this up and running and are looking into ways in which we can help." * Anyone interested in donating toys, games or equipment to the youth club or toddlers group, can contact Debbie Steers at deb.66@talktalk.net.