A COMMUNITY group behind the hugely successful Olympic countdown festival is celebrating another positive step for young people.

Revive Portland supported trials of a youth club on the island over the summer.

Now the club is launching on a permanent basis from tomorrow at Osprey Leisure Centre.

Open to 11 to 16-year-olds, the club will run from 7.30pm to 10pm every Friday, allowing young people to make use of the facilities at the centre.

Youngsters will also be able to get involved with street dancing which proved a hit with crowds at the 1,000 days event last Saturday.

The Revive Portland project covers a range of initiatives to create a lasting legacy from the Olympics in 2012.

Portland is the first venue outside of London to be involved in the 2012 Changing Places programme, a national scheme encouraging communities to unite to transform their area.

Revive opened the Ideas Shop in the summer and is taking forward the suggestions made by residents to improve the area. The youth club has been set up because a popular suggestion at the shop was to provide more activities for youngsters.

Osprey Leisure Centre Manager Nigel Williams appealed for young people to attend the club.

He said: “It is so good to be able to offer new activities for youngsters.

“A huge amount of thanks must go to Nikki Billington for assisting with the required funding.”

At only £1 per session Nigel hopes that many youngsters will make use of the facilities which include pool, basketball, squash, table tennis and swimming.

For more information call 01305 824378 or visit www.ospreyleisure. co.uk