THE facilities and activities provided by a youth centre have been transformed by a charity cash contribution of £14,000.

The club has used the funding from the Nestle Trust to support the development of youth work, open on additional evenings and appoint members of staff. As a result, the club has attracted more than 70 new members.

The grant was made possible by the thriving national Make Space campaign, a network of after-school clubs and youth centres for young people managed by children's charity 4Children and funded by the Nestle Trust.

The youth centre in Cone Terrace, Chester-le-Street, used the funding to open its doors to a younger audience and can now cater for 11 to 13-year-olds in addition to older members.

The club is open throughout the week and on Sunday afternoons and has also opened an after school-club twice a week.

Since getting the funding, the members have been able to enjoy redecorated surroundings, enhanced facilities and new sports equipment. A variety of activities have been organised, such as art projects, smoothie-making and cookery lessons.

Youth centre manager Beth Storey said: "Receiving this cash boost from Nestle Make Space has contributed significantly to the growth of our club.

"It is important young people in the area know they have somewhere they can be safe, study, relax and have fun."

She added: "Thanks to this grant, we have been able to provide our young people with better facilities and a wider range of activities for them to enjoy with their friends."

Nestle Trust spokeswoman Denise Kennedy said: "Make Space has so many benefits - for children and parents alike - and Chester-le-Street Youth Centre is a wonderful example of a well-run out-of-school club.

"As well as working with individual clubs, Make Space is helping to shape the future of youth services through its lobbying work, to draw attention to the need for greater local investment by Government in facilities for young people."

Chester-le-Street Youth Centre is open from 6pm to 9pm on weekdays. The club has an after-school club running from 4pm to 6pm, on Tuesdays and Fridays, from 6pm to 8pm, and opens between 2pm and 6pm on Sundays.

For more information on the centre, contact Ms Storey on 0191-388-4770.