CONSTRUCTION of a new £3,000 youth shelter in Belmont is due to start next month.

Residents and North Turton Parish councillor Ian Bevan have campaigned for the installation of the shelter after the old equivalent was removed from Belmont Recreation Ground three years ago.

Blackburn with Darwen Council is expected to give the final nod to the building work at an April meeting.

Coun Bevan said: "We are hoping to start work on a sturdy brick structure for children in the area. It is important they have somewhere to go instead of hanging around the streets."

The shelter will be part-funded by the Belmont Youth Club to the tune of £800 and the rest will come from the parish council.