NEYLAND youth club has celebrated its official re-opening at its new home in the Skills Centre, known locally as the Pride building.

The mayor and deputy mayor of Neyland were among those who attended the open evening on Wednesday, which gave existing and potential members the chance to explore the new facilities.

Youth club members made ‘mocktails’ and offered beauty treatments to guests, and a buffet was provided by Debbie Mills, Tesco Milford Haven community champion.

The town's youth club had been suspended since earlier this year, as work was undertaken renovate the building ahead of the move from its former home in Charles Street.

Freshly painted, with new carpets, a kitchen, ‘beauty room’, TV room, pool table, laptops and games consoles, the new centre is a bright, modern space for young people to enjoy.

“We’ve moved away from the old image of a hall with a ping pong table in, the new centre is far more chilled out and more like a meeting place,” said Sarah King, community youth worker.

The new centre also has an outdoor space, and the club hopes to start a gardening project later this year.

Neyland Town Council’s town development committee has also agreed to donate £500 for new benches.

Local town and county councillor Simon Hancock, who worked to ensure the town kept its youth club as the county council looked to save £125,000 across the youth service, said he was delighted to see the new club open.

“This is an opportunity to refresh the offer to young people in the town, and I look forward to continuing in my support as local member, so that it develops and grows,” he said.

He also praised the centre’s three youth workers, and youngsters, for their hard work during the move.

The club is open three nights a week, with an after-school club serving hot food between 5.30pm and 6.30pm on Monday nights, followed by Year Seven youth club until 8.30pm, offering activities such as cooking, glass painting and jewellery making.

On Tuesday, the Youth Forum meets at 5pm, with the youth club meeting at 6.30pm. And on Wednesday, Year Six pupils are welcome between 5pm and 6.30pm. All sessions are free.