A NEW outdoor activites centre is ready to open its doors to youngsters from the Darlington area.

The centre in Forest-in-Teesdale is run and funded by the Darlington and District Community Youth Action Group.

It will offer youngsters from the area a chance to spend time away from home and to take part in a variety of exciting pastimes.

The £250,000 centre will house 32 young people and there are now plans to extend it to accommodate double that number.

Mick Moat from the action group said: "We have been taking youngsters away for 20 to 30 years and know how much it means and what memories it can create.

"The problem is, it is expensive - so we decided to raise money to buy our own centre."

The money was raised over five years through the action group's profits and charitable trusts.

The action group also got a £60,000 interest-free loan over five years from Darlington Borough Council.

The keys to the centre were handed over this week and it is already fully booked for June, July and August. There has been so much interest the group has had to take over a nearby youth hostel to accommodate everyone during the summer months.

If the extension is built it will allow the centre to host two separate groups at the same time.

Mr Moat said: "We want another £250,000 but I don't think it will take as long as the first amount, because now we have a building it is easier to attract funding." The action group already has the equipment for outdoor adventure activities as well as fully trained staff.

Mr Moat said: "The centre was the missing piece of our jigsaw but now we are ready to give children a really good time.

"The thing is if youngsters are enjoying themselves you can teach them a lot more, so this centre is a real boost to our work."

The centre will be available for hire for schools and other youth groups and any profits that are made will be put back into the service.

Mr Moat said: "This is a place for the young people of Darlington primarily but obviously we will let other youngsters come.

"The centre is in an ideal location and will be a real asset to us."