CHURCH groups in Lower Wensleydale are celebrating after reaching their fundraising target to recruit a youth support work more than three months early.

The parishes of Mashamshire and Middleham joined together to raise the money, forming a charity, the Lower Wensleydale Youth Project, to manage the scheme.

They have already started the recruitment process for their new support worker after raising £65,000 in nine months and hope to have the successful candidate in place by September.

The final donation of £2,000 came from the Anglican Church’s grant-making body.

Reverend Brendan Giblin, of the Wensley parish, said: "We’re delighted that after months of hard work we’ve got the total together and can now advertise for candidates with confidence and get the ball rolling."

The new youth and children's worker will be based in Masham and Middleham and cover the areas of Coverdale, Middleham, Masham, Healey, East Witton and Thornton Steward, promoting youth activities.

The money raised will be enough to employ the new youth worker for three years.

A large part of their work will be to build links with so-called "detached" young people who are not attached to any other youth organisation and will go unnoticed until they need urgent help.

He or she will also work with schools and other youth organisations to enhance the guidance, support and activities available and offer emotional and spiritual guidance to children and young people aged between four and 19.

Reverend David Cleeves, of the Mashamshire parish, is delighted that the two parishes have been able to raise the money needed for the new support worker.

"We're very proud that despite the credit crunch, we're able to buck the trend and actually recruit to offer some one a job," he said.

"By working together, we've managed to raise enough funds to employ a youth and children's worker who will be engaged to work with local volunteers to build community youth groups and organise outdoor activities as well as working with schools and other youth organisations to enhance the guidance, support and activities available".