Work is set to begin as Darwen Youth Centre as it undergoes a £3.3 million transformation.

The Knott Street facility is to double in size over the next year adding a brand-new first floor.

The extension will pave the way for a new creative workshop space, a recording and DJ studio, a gaming zone and multi-use spaces and upgraded outdoor sports facilities.

The scheme is one of five across the borough to benefit from more than £8m of new investment secured through the Government’s Youth Investment Fund.

Deputy leader of Blackburn with Darwen Council and executive member for children, young people and education, Councillor Julie Gunn, said: “To have this chance to double the size of the youth centre is phenomenal and the opportunities the extra space will bring for the young people who use it is just fantastic.

“In the summer round of the Youth Investment Fund, Blackburn with Darwen secured more funding from Government than any other place in the country with Blackburn and Darwen Youth Zone, Audley and Queen’s Park Children’s Centre and Shadsworth Hub all benefitting.

“Added to this, we also recently secured a further £140,000 to refurbish Wensley Fold Children’s Centre too to renovate its youth service offer there – more fantastic news.

“Driving us is our determination that every child and young person in the borough should have the opportunity to fulfil their potential – we truly believe that no-one should be left behind.

“And I know this funding will transform the facilities for our children and young people right across Blackburn with Darwen – it’ll help change lives.”

Darwen Youth Centre will temporarily close from Sunday, March 31, and youngsters will be able to continue to access sessions at the new Darwen Youth Zone in Railway Road, at Blackburn Rovers Indoor Centre (BRIC), and at the Rainbow Centre, also in Railway Road.

Councillor Gunn added: “While the doors to Darwen Youth Centre building may be temporarily closed, it’ll be very much ‘business as usual’ with lots of great sessions for our youngsters to take part in across the town and borough.

“We know that giving children and young people something really good to do and engage in is important and we have a packed schedule of activities for all ages, please do check out the list.”