COUNCILLORS have agreed to increase the salary they are offering to a qualified youth worker.

Ferryhill Town Council has been looking for a co-ordinator to run the youth caf in the market place.

The position was advertised at £6.50 an hour, but drew no applications from anyone suitably qualified.

At a meeting of the council this week, members agreed to re-advertise the post at a rate of £8.50 an hour, to bring it into line with salaries in other organisations.

The caf opened on Wednesday.

It is being staffed by auxiliary workers and the town's full-time youth worker, Beth Storey.

Jamie Corrigan, executive officer at Ferryhill Town Council, said: "The evening was a great success and it was a good night.

"The kids are all interested in all the projects we have got planned.

"They are going to make some soft furnishings themselves for the building, and some are going to be doing joinery."

The caf, identified as a priority in the town appraisal, has been largely developed by the children.

It includes a drinks area, a lounge with pool and table- tennis tables, a sound system and a computer suite.

The cafe is open from 6.30pm to 9pm on Mondays and Wednesdays.

The hours will increase to 18 a week when the youth worker is appointed, hopefully at the start of June