A POPULAR youth project based in Garelochhead has had to temporarily halt new members from joining due to excessive demand.

Route 81, which was founded in 2004, explained in a social media post on Thursday morning that "due to an influx of new members, drop-in sessions are attracting up to 60 members".

The update said that with limited youth workers and volunteers available, they have been forced to limit membership until the end of March.

The organisation works with young people within the Hermitage Academy catchment area, offering a wide range of activities and development opportunities from a dedicated facility called the Hub, in the Centre 81 building in the village.

The post added: "Please note due to increased numbers of young people attending Route 81, membership will be temporarily closed until March 31, 2019. Please do not attend Route 81 (centre) unless you have a membership.

"We will review this situation weekly. If numbers of current members attending a session become too high, we may have to limit access or operate on a locked door policy.

"It is advisable for young people to remain in the hub during the session to ensure continual access.

"We will update the Route 81 and Centre 81 Facebook page on the evening if we have to do this and to keep parent/guardians informed.

"To place your name on the waiting list for membership please contact: sj@route81.org.uk."