THE wait is over for dozens of youngsters in Penwortham, near Preston, who are finally to get their own youth centre.

The centre has been in the pipeline since 1997, when South Ribble Borough Council bought a disused pub -- the Kingsfold Arms, in Kingsfold Drive, Penwortham.

The plans included two stages of development -- half the building into a community centre and half into a youth centre. The community centre was opened in 1998, and now the money has been made available to finish the job creating a fabulous venue for youths.

Kingsfold councillor and leader of South Ribble Borough Council Howard Gore said: "People in Penwortham have wanted a community centre for years. The Kingsfold Arms pub had a number of landlords, and had a chequered history. Then the brewery decided not to employ another landlord.

"So once the pub became disused, it seemed common sense for the borough council to buy it. The front section of the building is now a fully-fledged, up-and-running community centre, with a creche, and many groups meeting there.

"But we realised that a community centre wouldn't benefit the local youth, and we have always intended to turn the back of the building into a youth centre. Now the funding has been made available."

On Tuesday, October 2, a meeting of Penwortham Town Council set up a special group to organise the running of the centre.

The building is owned by South Ribble Borough Council, managed by Penwortham Town Council, and before the youth centre can be finished, staff must be supplied by the county council. Coun Gore said: "We only have a few months to get everything finished. But although it is complicated, local Government, just like businesses, need partners.

"We can't employ youth workers without the county council, so we are in negotiations at the moment. This will be the icing on the cake."