A new youth club is being launched in Bungay and residents are being urged to get behind the project to help ensure its future.

Trustees of Bungay Honeypot Community Centre have been discussing the idea of starting the Youth Project for some time, and at the end of last year the group decided to offer the community centre as a venue free of charge for an initial 26 weeks, in the hope funding could be found elsewhere to pay for the expenses of the youth workers who are needed to run the group.

And with support from Bungay Town Council and Bungay Town Trust, who have been have between them funded the cost of the youth workers, the youth club will be opening for the first time on Tuesday, May 9.

The Art Trading Company in Bungay has also donated a large quantity of acrylic paints for the youngsters to use and a resident and former town reeve has acquired a TV set, Xbox and table tennis table. There is also a pool table at the community centre.

Judy Cloke, chairman of the Honeypot Community Centre Trustees, said: 'We are absolutely delighted to welcome the Youth Project to the community centre and hope for a long and happy collaboration. This is a new venture for us and a facility which has been needed in the town for some years.

'I was so pleased Bungay Town Council and Town Trust responded so generously to our request to support the project. Now all we need is for the youngsters to come through the doors.'

The Youth Project will run from 7.15pm to 9pm at the community centre in Upper Olland Street, with experienced leaders Hannah and Eric Sewell, Jamie Hurd and a team of helpers.

Admission will be 50p per session with refreshments for sale. Initially, the project will cater for youngsters between the ages of nine and 13.

However in order for it to succeed, the club needs the support of local residents and further fundraising is needed to extend beyond the initial 26 weeks.

Anyone who would like to help raise funds can contact Ms Cloke on 01986 894653.