AN official open day to launch the new mini community centre in Edgeside, Waterfoot, was held this weekend.

Members of the Edgeside District Residents' Association arranged the event to publicise that the centre is open to the whole community.

The centre is at 50 Fairfield Avenue.

Various groups, including Haslingden Community Chest and Lancashire Community Championship Funding, have contributed to the funding of its refurbishment. Secretary of the association, Jean McIntyre, said "The whole community has joined in to provide funding for the centre and we want it to be used by everyone. My wish is that people will use it to come and meet people and talk. There's not really anywhere for the elderly to go so we'd like to get games for them and it's somewhere the youngsters can meet.

"Getting people to decorate it was the biggest challenge."

On Saturday the centre, which was completed last month, was open for people to look round.

Mrs McIntyre said: "The centre is in an area where there used to be a lot of trouble."

Anyone who wants to know more about the centre or who could provide toys or games for the elderly should call in on Thursday, when it will be open between 10am and 3pm.