WALLINGFORD’S new youth centre has been completed, providing young people with their own base for the first time in three years.

Construction work began at the £300,000 centre in Wigod Way at the end of last year, on the site of a former evangelical church.

Wallingford Town Council decided to build the centre after Oxfordshire County Council cuts led to the closure of the Clapcot Way youth centre, and on Tuesday contractors handed the building over to town council leaders.

They have worked with South Oxfordshire District Council to acquire the site and with the county council to fund the building.

It will be home to youth worker Martin Thompson and the Action for Children charity. Town councillors insisted young people should have their own centre, instead of relying on the nearest county council youth hub in Didcot.

Councillor Bernard Stone said: “Mr Thompson can use it for groups to meet if young people need counselling and mentoring, linking up with the county council youth hub in Didcot.”

Action for Children staff are expected to move in next month to run the children’s centre.

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