AN extra £1million will be spent on the county’s ‘Youth Zones’ and a £2.5million centre created in Chorley.

Around £613,000 will be spent on improvements to a series of the Young People's Centres around the county.

Mobile youth centres will also benefit to the tune of £315,000 and the remaining £72,000 will fund 'Info Zones' in each Youth Zone.

The Chorley Youth Zone will see a range of activities and facilities created within the same building occupied by the town’s central library.

A multi-purpose hall, music and dance rooms, spaces for one-to-one and group work and music recording equipment are just some facilities that will be provided at the site.

It will be located in the front part of the county council's existing premises on Union Street.

The library will be unaffected by the development.

The decision was taken by councillors on Thursday, and means Youth Zones have now been approved for 11 districts across Lancashire.

County Councillor Geoff Driver, Leader of Lancashire County Council, said: "The Union Street site is ideal for a Youth Zone.

"The building will offer the full range of services for young people under one roof.

"It'll be a place where they can go to relax, learn, develop new skills and get help and support when they need it.

"This is part of our plans to improve the way we work with young people, our aim is to have a Youth Zone in each district in Lancashire.”

County Councillor Mark Perks, cabinet member for young people, said: "I'm pleased that we've found a suitable site in Chorley and that work on the Chorley Youth Zone can now go ahead.

“The great thing is that other agencies working with young people will also be able to use the building.

“This means we can work much closer in partnership to provide the services young people want.”