A TOWN'S youth centre has been reintroduced thanks to an ardent community campaign.

Holsworthy Youth Centre reopened its doors last week — six months after Devon County Council withdrew funding for the facility.

Passionate about maintaining a youth service in the town, Conservative county councillor for Holsworthy Rural Barry Parsons and mayor John Allen from the Market and Coastal Towns Initiative (MCTI), initiated a community area board to lead the project.

After months of preparation, the board, in conjunction with Holsworthy Rural Community Action Through Sport (CATS) and Holsworthy Community Property Trust, obtained funding and the keys were officially handed over by the county council.

The youth centre reopened on the same site at Sanders Lane on Tuesday, April 21.

Volunteer and member, 14-year-old TJ Acres, cut the ribbon.

He said: "It's nice to have it back open again because there are different things to do."

William Stone, 13, from Holsworthy, a former member of the youth centre returned for the opening.

He said: "Usually I will go to the park after school or play on my Xbox, but it is nice to come here instead."

William's mother, Kirstie, is a volunteer at the centre. She said: "As a parent it is nice to know there is somewhere safe to go — friendly and warm — and you know where they are."

Raquel Rowe from Holsworthy Rural CATS was delighted the youth centre was open again.

"It's excellent to see it reopened and it will be lovely for the children to have a place to hang around.

"There are quite a lot of people behind this — everyone could see the potential and has worked so hard to get it open. I am just really pleased that it's open for everyone to come along."

For the full report, and a round-up of the area news and sport, see this week's edition of the Post.