TEENAGERS in Helsby are celebrating after funding has secured a new village youth club.

The “Drop In” is a new youth club at St Paul’s Church Hall, Vicarage Lane, aimed at 13–to–19 year olds from Helsby and will they will meet on Thursdays from 6.30 to 8.30pm.

Helsby parish councillor Terry O’Neill said: “I am really pleased we have managed to get it going. The young people of Helsby need somewhere to go and something to do, somewhere to chill out.

“Out of the money granted we have got funding to employ two part-time youth workers for the next 12 months and about £3,000 to buy equipment for the young people. In the first couple of sessions we will find out what kind of equipment they all want.”

There are more than a hundred teenagers in Helsby who currently have no youth club facility, unlike neighbouring communities Frodsham and Kingsley.

Youth Federation development officer Steve Burke said: “I think the youth group will really make a difference.

“We have interviewed two youth workers from the area and they will both be very good. They are really enthusiastic and were delighted to be involved in the club.

He added: “We want the young people to decide what equipment they want and what they want to do and take ownership of the club.”

The youth club was funded by the Big Lottery scheme, the Youth Opportunities Fund, Cheshire Police Federation and £2,600 from ex-village policeman Peter Wakely and former treasurer of Frodsham Youth Club Emily Partington.

Frodsham Inspector Phil Hodgson believes the club could help promote community safety.

He said: “While in the club people won’t be doing things which could cause people to be frightened, like hanging around in large gangs. It gives the young people something to do and a facility to go to.”

Helsby PCSO Chris Maddocks added: “It is a testament to all the good work by the Youth Foundation, Helsby Parish Council and the other agencies to put it in place and helpfully it will benefit the whole of Helsby.”

The club’s first meeting is on October 16 at St Paul’s Church Hall, Vicarage Lane, Helsby.