The Abbey Children and Youth Venue, which meets weekly at the Abbey Neighbourhood Centre, was started six weeks ago by the Abbey Neighbourhood Centre Help Our Residents (Anchor) group.

Set up to cater for five-15 year olds, the venue has got a youngsters who visit every week and numbers are growing.

Thanks to funding from the Monument Trust, each session offers a themed arts activity.

Activities have included making and decorating badges and Olympic medals as well as creating fruit kebabs.

Terry Jermy, Keystone Development Trust community arts co-ordinator, said: "The response to the new group has been overwhelming and some weeks we have had more than 50 youngsters taking part.

"It is really great to offer the youngsters something to keep them entertained."

Staff from Keystone attend each session and a number of parent volunteers help. The project is also supported by Ricky and Sarah Aylott, who run the Abbey Café.

The Abbey Children and Youth Venue takes place every Tuesday from 4-5.30pm for children aged five-nine and from 6–7.30pm for 10-15 year-olds. Each session costs 50p. For more information, contact the Abbey Neighbourhood Centre on 01842 821643.

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