A youth project in North Norfolk will be given a much-needed makeover after being selected as the winner of Project Butterfly - an EDP initiative to help communities overcome anti-social behaviour.

A youth project in north Norfolk will be given a much-needed makeover after being selected as the winner of Project Butterfly - an EDP initiative to help commun-ities overcome anti-social behaviour.

The initiative - organised by the EDP, Norfolk police and Virgin Money - invited communities to submit ideas for schemes or projects that will improve neighbourhood conditions or provide activities which help to tackle the root causes of anti-social behaviour. Virgin Money has pledged to fund the labour and materials to the value of £10,000.

Holt Youth Project has been selected as the winner of the first phase. The project has done sterling work building bridges between the young people of the town and the wider community.

The centre has a working kitchen, social/café area, sports hall, TV lounge, IT suite, health and beauty salon and workshop for groups to use. Outside there is a garden where the young people grow vegetables.

Many groups such as Army Cadets and toddler groups benefit from the facility, but its work with young people from the local community is where the registered charity does its most valuable work.

Now the project will be able to carry out much-needed cosmetic work to the interior of the building as well as a patio for the garden area and other work to the grounds.

Julie Alford, of the project, said: “The work we do with the young people has made a real difference in our community. We have 110 members, with 45 to 60 attending each session.

“The local police make regular visits, enjoying the atmosphere and cups of tea. This has enabled them to form good relationships with the young people of the town.”

Two other outstanding entrants were a proposed revamp of Trunch playing field and plans to construct a pond and nature area in the same village.

Gareth Nicholls, EDP assistant marketing manager, said: “The judging panel were extremely impressed with the high quality of entries into Project Butterfly. The Holt Youth Project is a very worthy winner and the EDP, along with Virgin Money and the Norfolk police, are honoured to be able to help a group of people so devoted to making a positive difference in their community.”

The work required at the site of the Holt Youth Project will be undertaken by teams from all the partners involved in Project Butterfly during the autumn half term week.

Many of the young people and other community members who benefit from the project will also be getting their hands dirty.

Karin Pink, one of the judges from Virgin Money, said: “The Holt Youth Project made a very compelling case and Virgin Money are really looking forward to working with them”.

Look out for more details of Project Butterfly as they appear in the EDP and on EDP24.co.uk. Phases two and three, which will be announced later this year, will extend the same opportunity to those in the rest of the county.