A NEW full-time youth worker has been appointed to run Stow Youth Club.

The work of new youth worker Chris James, who is due to start next week, (March 3) is being funded for at least three years by a £190,000 grant from the Big Lottery Fund.

Youth Club management committee chairman Rob Barton said he was delighted with the new appointment.

"This is a very exciting time in Stow's history, the benefits of having a full-time youth worker will be realised for many years to come.

"Chris will work closely with schools, local clubs, town council and the police to maximise the benefits available to young people and the wider community," he said.

Chris, 31, who has been a youth worker for seven years and previously worked in the Bedworth and Coventry area of Warwickshire, said his initial aim was to get the voice of young people heard.

"It's going to be fantastic. There are some great young people in the area. They have a lot of potential and you want to draw that out and see them flourish," he said.

Mr Barton, who is stepping down as youth club chairman to move to Bewdley, said the main target groups were 12 to 18 year olds and eight to 11 year olds.

"There are over 250 children in these age groups in the catchment area and they will all benefit by having the opportunity to have somewhere to go when they want to be with their friends in a secure environment with good facilities," he said.

"Having this available during the daytime in school holidays, when boredom is a real problem, will greatly increase the usage of the club," he added.

On-street work will be part of the youth workers' remit so that they engage with young people who do not attend the youth club, said Mr Barton.

"Young people themselves, as well as the police, are quite clear that having the club open for longer hours as a drop-in centre, particularly during the daytime in school holidays, is the key to reducing boredom and anti-social behaviour," he added.

The lottery funding will also provide an opportunity for local people to use an internet café at the youth club during the day in term time and for isolated elderly people to attend coffee and lunch sessions at the club.