A popular facility for teenagers in Halstead has reopened with brand new facilities.

Halstead Youth Centre, situated within Halstead Community Resource Centre, in Parsonage Street, is now back in use two evenings a week.

The youth centre had been closed for refurbishment to help transform the site and introduce a host of new activities.

During the closure Essex County Council’s youth team met with teenagers in the town and asked what they wanted to see at the centre.

Ray Gooding, Essex County Councillor responsible for education, said: “We are delighted that additional youth sessions will now be available at Halstead Youth Centre and are also supporting a weekly youth bus session in Butler Road and the development a new youth council.

“Supporting and empowering communities to run youth activities is something we have been championing for some time now, and with significant success.

“The number of young people taking part in youth activity in Essex has increased from 25,485 in 2014/15 to 50,244 in 2016/17, while the number of youth sessions has gone up from 5,359 to 12,954 over the same time period.”

Facilities at the centre now include televisions, games consoles, table tennis facilities, cooking equipment and musical instruments.

Advice on things like sexual health, drugs and alcohol and careers will be available to those who attend. Several group outings are set to be organised for members in the future.

Sessions take place at the centre on Mondays between 7pm and 9pm.

Revolution Youth Group also meet on Thursday between 7pm and 9pm.

If you are interested in running a youth group or activity at Halstead Youth Centre, please email sue.hughes@essex.gov.uk or call 07901330749.