A CHURCH is hoping to get the go-ahead to build a community hall for youngsters who often find themselves with nothing to do during the evenings.

Owton Manor Baptist Church, Hartlepool, has lodged a planning application with Hartlepool Borough Council, to build a single-storey extension to form a drop-in cafe and meeting hall.

If the plans are approved, they would provide a place for youngsters to meet friends, without having to hang around on street corners.

Carey Robson, one of the youth workers at the church said: "A lot of young people do not have anywhere to go during the winter months and are often found hanging about on street corners.

"The aim of the cafe is to give them somewhere to go and meet their friends in a safe environment.

"Kids want somewhere funky to go and a church is not often perceived as being cool, but we are not here to preach religion. We want to be able to give them an area where they can play pool, watch TV and videos, but also take part in workshops on issues they are interested in."

The cafe and hall would predominately be open to 12 to 16- year-olds, from the Owton- Rossmere area of Hartlepool, but youngsters from other parts of the town would also be encouraged to visit.

Mrs Robson, said: "We already have a successful youth team here, but we would like to build on that.

"We asked a number of the younger members what they would like to see happening, and this is where the ideas developed from. Hopefully, they too will be very successful."

The Reverend David Hulse said: "I think it is quite a good idea. It gives the younger people of the area somewhere to go, with things to do.

"It is a safe alternative to hanging around on the streets where children can sometimes find themselves getting into trouble."

Anyone interested in joining the existing youth teams can visit the church in Catcote Road, Hartlepool, on Wednesdays and Fridays, from 5.30pm.