Vital cash found for youth centre

After months of work repairing and cleaning up the club, Landport residents have just a few months to wait before it reopens again for good.

The biggest stumbling block had been the lack of staff but now East Sussex County Council has agreed to pay for a part-time youth worker to run the club and two additional part-time support workers.

The club, which has been closed for more than a year-and-a-half, has also been given a grant to re-lay the floor in the gym so young people can play football and basketball.

Tony Pippen, chief executive of Sussex Clubs for Young People, the organisation which owns the building, said: 'It's amazing how much has been achieved in such a short time.

'I think the recruitment of new staff really secures the long-term future of the centre.

'We've also been awarded a grant for 21,000 for a new gym floor and for other general repairs.'

Last month 42 broken windows were replaced with new safety glass windows and a pool table has been refurbished.

Cllr Roger Murray took part in clean-up operations at the centre.

He said: 'It's been an absolutely tremendous effort by the residents.

'The young people have been brilliant and have turned up to all of the meetings.

'Things are looking very good for the youth centre and since the windows have been repaired there hasn't been any vandalism.

'The community should be proud of the effort that's been made.'

People are rolling up their sleeves again this weekend and finishing off the job of painting the inside of the centre.

All offers of help will be gratefully received as local people and supporters of the centre carry out the work all day Saturday and Sunday.

A 'Make me an offer' auction will also be held throughout the day on Saturday, when items from the centre, including furniture, a computer, TV and video, will be sold off to raise money for the revamped centre.

If you can spare a few hours go to the centre between 10-4 on Saturday or Sunday. Donations are also welcome to help to pay for the paint.