PUPILS plan to appeal to businesses in the town to prevent a confidential drop-in centre at Kingshill School from folding.

Indigo, run by doctors and nurses from the Phoenix Surgery, gives advice to young people on issues ranging from sexual health to quitting smoking.

It runs two drop-in clinics, one at the doctors' surgery and one at Kingshill School, which was set up three years ago.

Since then it has gone from strength to strength. But central government funding has dried up and the future of the service is in doubt.

Dr Gill McInerney, of the Phoenix Surgery, said: "The Phoenix Surgery is so close to Deer Park School and Cirencester College, the vast majority majority of our attendees were from these establishments.

"When we set the drop-in clinic up nobody from Kingshill came. They couldn't just pop into town at lunchtime - so we thought it would be good to bring the service to the pupils."

Now pupils at the school are helping raise the £2,000 needed to keep the drop-in clinic up-and-running for another 12 months.

Kym Waldron, aged 15, from Cirencester, is one of a group of youngsters drafting a letter to local traders in the hope of raising the sum.

She said it would be a great loss if Indigo were to fold, adding: "It's confidential and it's not scary to talk to somebody there. They are very friendly and professional and it's easy to use the facility."

Other pupils said: "You can talk to someone without feeling embarrassed - it gives us a place to get advice and help from a trustworthy source."

Dr McInerney added: "We are running out of money this year but are hoping with the support of businesses and charities we will be able to secure the ongoing presence of the service at Kingshill - it's very little money for what we can provide."

If you can help contact Dr Gill McInerney at the Phoenix Surgery on 01285 652056.