A teenage youth group left homeless after vandals torched its community centre is calling on its project to get a Government grant - from cash confiscated from criminals.

Members of Equippers Youth Club, who were left devastated after a blaze broke out in Rose Community Centre, Brentford, are urging people to vote for Hounslow to get a chunk of a £4m fund to rebuild their centre.

Hounslow Council has put bid for a £40,000 slice of the Community Cashback fund, a new grant made up of money or property confiscated from criminal proceedings, and is competing against 31 other London projects.

Youth leader Kirsty Green said February’s arson attack left the group with nowhere to meet and the cash would be a much needed boost for the Hawthorn Road centre. She said: “On Friday nights we were getting about 40 teenagers coming in to play pool or just relax. Since the fire we have not been able to get children together, except at my house, which is a true shame.

“It is disappointing the centre has been closed for so long as we are exactly the kind of group who wants to stop teenagers getting into trouble by setting places on fire. It reopening would be brilliant for us and the community. It is desperately needed.”

Although work in the centre is taking place it is not expected to open for three months and Hounslow Council needs more cash to completely finish the job.

Other schemes which would benefit the cash are: The Southville Centre, in Bedfont, Sutton Lane Bowls in Heston, Kingsley Road Youth Centre in Hounslow and Dukes Meadow, in Chiswick. Each would get £8,000 if Housnlow wins the vote.

Councillor Paul Fisher, executive member for communities, said: “Community Cashback offers an excellent opportunity for us to respond directly to the communities’ needs, so I really encourage people to have their say on the projects they believe would benefit from this fund.

“Please make sure you have a say in how this money is invested in our future by registering your vote and supporting our bid.”

Vote for Hounslow at cashback.cjsonline.gov.uk and click on Community Involvement Days by 5pm Friday.

Who else needs the money and why: As well as Rose Community Centre Hounslow Council has picked out four other projects which need funding.

The Southville Centre - for young carers to relax, it needs urgent painting.

Sutton Bowls - turn an abandoned building which is now a hang out for drunks back into a community club.

Kingsley Road Youth Centre- Hounslow African and Asian Youth Association are based at this youth centre which needs painting.

Duke's Meadows play area - although Friends of Dukes Meadows raised funds to carry out repairs they have run out of funding to tackle the play area.