A POPULAR youth centre is expected to reopen in April after major refurbishment.

Longridge Young People’s Centre has been closed since December and work started on modernising the building’s interior at the start of this month.

The Berry Lane centre, in the town’s former fire station, was awarded a £54,000 grant from Lancashire County Council which owns the building.

Work taking place out includes a new kitchen area, plastering and fitting a recording studio.

Tim Blezard, Lancashire County Council’s district team leader for young people services in the Ribble Valley, said: “We are very fortunate that this centre has been given such a large grant from the council.

“It’s not enough to do a complete facelift but it’s enough to update the interior enough to bring it up to date.

“The building had not been modernised for many years and it was beginning to show.

“It’s great that the youngsters will have a sparkling new club to come back to in April.

“It’s a popular centre and I hope that these changes will allow that to continue.”

The council hopes to host an event to mark the official relaunch sometime in April.

More than 40 youngsters in the area attend the centre when it opens three nights a week.

Manager Mary Stones said: “I hope that this work will safeguard the future of the centre in the town.

“We have people coming from all over the area and it’s important to keep it going. The new facilities will be amazing and we are grateful for the grant.

“The centre will be a better environment for the youngsters to come to from now on.”