YOUNGSTERS in Horrabridge are inviting people to see their refurbished hang-out, after securing a grant by showing the 'disgusting' bits of Horrabridge Youth Club.

The youth club has been given an extra lease of life, boasting new toilets, office space, kitchen and an all-over lick of paint, and an official re-opening will be staged at the beginning of May.

The club received a £15,000 grant from the Youth Capital Fund, after the youngsters submitted an original application, by producing a book of photos of the worst parts of the building.

Youth leader Charlotte Carpenter said: 'The kids put a lot of hard work into the application. They took pictures of all the disgusting bits of the club and stuck them into the book, and then got other members of the club to write letters as to why our club deserved a grant.

'We found out that we had got the grant in October which was brilliant. We also received an extra £5,000 from West Devon Borough Council.'

Work on the club started in mid-February and the youth club members have been involved in the entire refurbishment process.

Charlotte said: 'The kids met with the architect to choose a plan for the new kitchen, they've done all the painting, chose the tiles, paint colours and they have been involved with the layout from the very beginning.

'I think they will have greater respect and a sense of ownership over the building.

'I don't think the club has really been changed since it was built in the 1960s, so this will make a huge difference.'

The club is inviting all parents and members of the community to attend the re-opening on Saturday May 8 at 2pm.

Charlotte said: 'We want to show everyone what the youngsters have achieved, as it was all their work. There will be refreshments and live music by a few of the young people. It will give people a chance to have a look at the new look youth centre and see that it is now a nice place to hire out for parties and special events.'

Horrabridge Youth Club is open to all young people aged between 11 and 19, and is currently open for two nights a week.

The club is open on Tuesday evenings for 14 to 19 year olds, and Wednesday evenings for 11 to 14 year olds. Both evenings run from 7pm to 9pm.

Anyone wanting to join the club can go along to one of the evenings and sign up.