FACILITIES for young people in Martham look set to get a major boost next month with the opening of a new youth centre. Aimed at 11 to 17-year-olds, JUST4U has been set up by Martham Parish Council and is being supported by the local neighbourhood policing team.

FACILITIES for young people in Martham look set to get a major boost next month with the opening of a new youth centre.

Aimed at 11 to 17-year-olds, JUST4U has been set up by Martham Parish Council and is being supported by the local neighbourhood policing team.

The village has been without a youth centre for the last two years and to combat the lack of facilities parish council chairman Mike Huke met with local youngsters to discover what they wanted.

As potential users, pupils from Flegg High School were asked for their views.

JUST4U, a name chosen by the pupils, will be based at Playing Field Lane and the project has been supported with a �1,000 donation from telecoms company O2.

The facility will be decorated by pupils in time for its opening on Friday, November 6 and soft furniture is needed, which could be used temporarily until the project secures enough money to purchase its own.

Mr Huke said: “The young people said they wanted a place where they could meet and socialise in informal surroundings.

“There has been a noticeable lack of youth provision in Martham for the last couple of years, which unfortunately has resulted in an increase of anti-social behaviour.

“The young people have no where to go, but if we can provide them with a facility we can hopefully address this behaviour.

“I believe this really will make a difference to young people in the village although we need the help of local people to get some furniture.”

Anti-social behaviour in Martham has been a priority for officers from the Rural Flegg NPT for the last three months.

During that period the team has carried out increased high visibility patrols resulting in improved relations between police and young people.

However, in order to improve the provision of youth facilities the team is supporting the parish council in establishing JUST4U.

PC Rachel Houghton has been following progress with the facility and said it would help tackle the problem of anti-social behaviour.

PC Houghton will attend the opening night and officers from the team will visit weekly to meet with local youths.

She said: “While increased patrols have addressed some of the issues relating to anti-social behaviour, the long term solution rests on the provision on more facilities for young people.

“We will continue to work in partnership with the parish council and partners to make this facility a success.”

To contact Rural Flegg NPT call 0845 456 4567 or email sntruralflegg@norfolk.pnn.police.uk.

Anyone able to donate furniture should contact Mike Huke on 01493 843542/740485.