A RUNDOWN youth centre in Nelson is set to be transformed after the announcement of a £1.33million lottery handout.

Work is set to begin before next March on the new Bradley Youth Hub, on Leeds Road, thanks to the grant from the Big Lottery Fund.

County council officials and borough councillors have worked hand-in-hand to make the Nelson bid, under the national ‘myplace’ programme, a success.

In a land swap deal nearby supported housing was incorporated into the footprint of the existing youth centre, which is made up of ageing portable buildings.

Coun Mohammed Iqbal, Bradley ward councillor, said: "This is fantastic news for residents in Nelson, but more so for the people of Bradley ward.

“It has been a long time coming but I would like to thank the county council for doing the leg work on this.”

More than 450 young people, aged 11 to 25, are expected to benefit from the new facility, which will feature a multi-use games area, internet cafe and computer room,.

Basic literacy and numeracy skills courses, careers, training and employment information are among the first services to be offered from the hub.

Residential courses are planned and classes for the Duke of Edinburgh Award scheme are set to be based there.

County councillor Jennifer Mein, Lanca-shire’s cabinet member for children and young people said: “The success of the £1.3m myplace funding bid is a great achievement for everyone involved – especially the young people of Nelson.

“They have driven this ambitious project forward since the very beginning, from having the idea to helping plan the building.

“I am extremely proud of them.

“The combination of facilities that the new project will provide, in buildings of exceptional quality and design, will have an enormous impact on what is on offer for young people in the area.”