A FEASIBILITY study is being carried out which could see a popular youth drop-in cafe extended.

The Ferryhill E Cafe has been awarded £5,809 from Durham County Council's community development fund to pay for the study.

It is hoped that plans to cover an underused yard at the rear of the E Cafe, to create a soundproof room, will be supported by the study.

Plans are also under way to extend the number of weekly sessions held at the venue.

Currently open on Monday, Wednesday and Friday from 6pm to 9pm, the E Cafe provides young people in the area with a place to go after school.

It was developed in response to a community appraisal carried out in the town in 2001, which identified a need.

Karen Emerson, secretary for the E Cafe and project assistant for Ferryhill Town Council, said: "Being awarded this grant money is excellent news.

"It allows us to carry out the first stage in the project, which is to extend this extremely popular youth facility."

Michelle Pickford, youth co-ordinator and vice-chairwoman at the E Cafe, said: "The young people and staff are very grateful for this grant, which will allow us to get this project off the ground."