A YOUTH drop-in facility that has been praised by police and community leaders could be expanded to cater for more young people.

Ferryhill Town Council hopes to develop the E Cafe in the market place, with around £100,000 of building work and extra opening hours.

The council, which owns the building, hopes to open the facility seven days a week and enclose a rear courtyard to provide a games area and extra music room.

In the four years since the cafe opened, it has regularly attracted between 60 and 70 people on Monday, Wednesday and Friday nights, and visitors are calling for more access.

Town clerk Jamie Corrigan said: "Local young people wanted their own territory, so the building is purely for them but benefits the whole town.

"It is used more than we expected and our ultimate aim is to open Monday to Friday nights, and for some time on Saturday and Sundays.

"The most popular activity is music so we really want to provide more space for that, and young people have called for a gym to play five-a-side football, basketball or hold keep fit classes, which has to be a positive thing for them to get involved in."

Detailed proposals are likely to be drawn up in the New Year and the council expects to seek outline planning approval for building improvements in the spring.

At the same time, the council will work with Ferryhill Community Partnership, Sedgefield Borough Council and Durham County Council to secure funds for the scheme.

Acting Sergeant Sue Howard, of Durham Constabulary, said: "It has already made a difference by helping to reduce anti-social behaviour, and hopefully extending the hours and facilities would do even more.

"It gives young people somewhere to go which is obviously good for them but also reduces the inflated fear of crime or anti-social behaviour created by large groups congregating outside because there is nowhere else to go.

"The only problem we have with the cafe is a lack of tolerance from other people when youngsters all arrive or leave at the same time.

"Hopefully, longer hours would spread the use out."