A £250,000 project to help young people in Atherton find jobs and training was launched today.

A new enterprise centre built as an extension to the community centre on Dorset Road in Hag Fold was today due to be opened by Wigan Council leader Lord Smith of Leigh -- who lives in Atherton -- and MEP Terry Wynn.

Civic leaders say the new project will be at the heart of a range of employment and training projects on the estate.

The new extension has three industrial units, four offices and training rooms and a prestigious new entrance.

Training staff from Wigan and Leigh College will be based at the centre as well as the careers services and Wigan Youth Service. Funding for the scheme has come from Wigan's Investing in Opportunities regeneration programme, the European Regional Development fund and a local charitable company established by Wigan Council -- Douglas Valley Property Ltd.