A POPULAR youth hostel in the heart of the Devil's Punch Bowl – described as "a little piece of heaven" – is to close down next April.

Hindhead Youth Hostel is owned by the National Trust and leased by the Youth Hostel Association (YHA).

It will remain open until March 31 next year and any bookings made up to that date are unaffected.

Haslemere county councillor Nikki Barton regretted the loss of the hostel, which offers 16 beds, at a time when the town is being marketed as a gateway to the Surrey Hills Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.

"The closure of this youth hostel, tucked away deep in the heart of the Devil's Punch Bowl will be a real loss to walkers and visitors to the area," she said.

For full story, see this week's Haslemere Herald.