THE Archbishop of York, The Most Reverend Dr David Hope, is to attend the opening of a community centre built on the site of a disused church hall.

St Cuthbert's Youth and Community Centre, in West Lane, Middlesbrough, was built thanks to grants of £268,000.

It now hosts youth clubs, drop-in sessions, a lunch club and bingo night.

Equipment has been bought and paid for including a DJ booth, computer area, table tennis and pool tables and a kitchen.

The centre will be opened on Friday, October 31, by Joe Montgomery, director general of the Government's Neighbourhood Renewal Unit.

The majority of the funding for the centre came from a £244,000 donation from West Middlesbrough Neighbourhood Trust.

The Reverend David Jago, vicar of St Martin's and St Cuthbert's, said: "This is providing a much-needed facility for young people and other residents."

Martin Clifford, 17, from West Lane, said: "St Cuthbert's is good because it gives us something to do a few nights a week."