Staff from the Co-op joined youngsters and parents from Bedale to provide a new youth centre a much needed make-over.

The team of seven rolled up their sleeves and got stuck in to the challenge as part of the store's employee volunteering programme which gives staff a chance to make a difference in their local communities.

The community-supported Bedale club has operated since 2007 providing a safe, warm and friendly environment for 11 – 19 year-olds from the area to meet and socialise.

The facelift forms part of preparations for Bedale Hall to become the new home for the centre which will see sessions provided by 4Youth and by parents.

The Co-operative team - which included staff fom the Food store in Market Court, Bedale - painted two rooms and prepared further walls in readiness for young artists to create murals.

Lee Featherstone, chair of Bedale youth club, said: “We’d all like to extend a big thank you to The Co-operative. It is a lovely building that needed some TLC and brightening up for its new use.

"The youth centre operates on three nights with the local youth service running Monday and Friday nights. I then have a great group of local mums, dads, and others who volunteer in their own time so very little extra time exists to make improvements like this.

Helen O’Neil, of the Co-op, said: “This is a team building day with a difference, it is great to be able to make such a difference in our local community."