A long-awaited permanent youth centre in Sprowston and Spixworth is calling for volunteers ahead of its opening at the end of the summer.

The centre will be a 'free-form youth club' for young people aged 13 to 18 to relax, have fun and socialise with friends.

The group currently meet on Wednesdays, but a multi-agency team hope to secure long-term premises from September, meaning the group can cater for more youngsters and offer better facilities.

Rev Canon Simon Stokes is the chairman of the organising committee, which includes Broadland District Council, Sprowston Town Council, the YMCA, the Matthew Project and officers from the Sprowston and Spixworth Safer Neighbourhood Team.

He said: 'The club will be a place where young people can drop in, and somewhere they can make their own.

'They can feel free to come and go, use the facilities and activities or just chill out with their friends.'

The club hopes to move from its weekly Matthew Project caravan to either the refurbished Diamond Centre in Recreation Ground Road, or the annexe at the rear of St Cuthbert's Church in Wroxham Road – though club members will have the final say.

Activities on offer will range from pool and table tennis to a mobile graffiti wall, as well as an area for teenagers to relax, pastoral support and career advice.

Volunteers are being asked to spare a few hours a week and will be given training, with the hope that it can progress to a recognised youth work qualification if funding is secured.

Canon Stokes added: 'We are looking for people who care for young people, and have a willingness to learn, but no experience is necessary.'

If you want to volunteer, call PCSO Kane Casburn on 101.

Are you trying to get a community project off the ground? Contact Mark Shields on 01603 772423.