A YOUTH centre which will provide a supportive social environment for youngsters hopes to be operating by spring.

The community training centre expects to open its doors in Thirsk market place by next April, now that planning permission has been granted for the premises.

The Thirsk Clock project will allow children over the age of 11 to gather socially, gain professional support and obtain training on computers.

A project development manager has been appointed to run the centre and will start work in February. A personal advisor will also be employed over the next few weeks and will offer support for the youngsters when the centre is open.

The scheme has been set up by a number of organisations and people working in partnership, including Churches Together, Thirsk Community Education and the Market Towns Initiative.

Project leader Rob Barker said: "There is still a lot of work to be done and we want it to be just right. But it is all coming along nicely and those children that are aware of it happening are just as excited as we are."

The cost of the project will be more than £100,000 a year. Thirsk Regeneration Initiative, which supports the centre, will fund £90,000 towards the costs over the first three years.

A vacant former retail premises will house the centre and provide a permanent base from which the youth services will operate.

The ground floor will provide a computer training facility, with five computers and a small cafe. The first floor will be a "youth zone", similar in character to that of an old-fashioned youth club, where youngsters can socialise.