TEENAGERS in coastal communities near Yarmouth have taken a big leap in setting up their own youth venue. Youngsters from Hemsby, Winterton, Thurne and Ormesby have started work on creating a base for their Hazy Daiz youth project, which will provide a safe place for them to meet.

TEENAGERS in coastal communities near Yarmouth have taken a big leap in setting up their own youth venue.

Youngsters from Hemsby, Winterton, Thurne and Ormesby have started work on creating a base for their Hazy Daiz youth project, which will provide a safe place for them to meet.

In July Hazy Daiz was awarded £10,000 by Project Butterfly to spend on materials to build a youth centre.

All week members of the group have been clearing out an outbuilding at the Congregational Church in Hemsby.

The hard-working teenagers have already filled two skips and they were joined by church pastor Frank Little, police officers and volunteers from Caister Parish Council and Community Connections as they cleared out the building.

When the clear-up is finished, the Project Butterfly-supplied material will be put to good use by Hazy Daiz.

The centre is much needed because teenagers have nowhere to go at night, which leads to them hanging around street corners and unfairly being branded as causing antisocial behaviour.

Project Butterfly was supported by Norfolk Police and Virgin Money as well as the Mercury's sister paper the Eastern Daily Press.

Police spokesman Jon Smith said: “Project Butterfly aims to support ideas which will improve neighbourhood conditions or provide activities for youngsters.”