PLANS to open a much-needed community centre for young people are a step closer after a cash boost.
Easington police and the district council's Anti-Social Behaviour Unit has secured £50,000 through the Neighbourhood Renewal Fund and Pathfinder project to convert a shop and upstairs flat in Seaside Lane, Easington Colliery, into a youth centre.
The project, called Our House, has been seeking a home for six months after the old youth centre was demolished to make way for a road.
Since then, complaints of youth nuisance in the area have risen by 40 per cent. A new facility is planned in the town's New Welfare Hall, but will not be ready for aboutthree years.
Meanwhile, planning permission is being sought for the conversion in Seaside Lane.
If successful, the new centre will include a cyber cafe, pool table and a bar selling non-alcoholic drinks. It will be open by Christmas.
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