THE first grant awarded through a new £5m scheme to improve neighbourhoods in Sedgefield borough is going to a youth drop-in centre.

Number 66, in West Cornforth, has been awarded the first Local Improvement Programme (Lip) grant of £64,400.

The cash is the final piece in a funding jigsaw of more than £200,000 needed to convert a derelict shop in the High Street into the facility.

The centre will offer a safe and staffed social area for young people to use the internet, video conferencing, structured project sessions, counselling and training.

A disused flat upstairs will also be refurbished and could be leased to other agencies supporting the work of Cornforth Partnership, which will manage the centre from its base next door.

That would also generate income for the organisation.

The project was initiated when young villagers were consulted about issues of anti-social behaviour in their community and identified the need for a drop-in or e-café.

Cornforth Partnership, the Next Step Youth project and Youth Aloud, the village's youth forum, developed the idea with help from Cornforth Parish Council.

Work will start this month and should be completed by the end of the year.

For details of the Lip scheme or an application form, groups can call (01388) 816166.