A YOUTH club has welcomed back the young people of the town for the first time this year.

Bridport Youth Club opened its doors last week for the first time since the third national lockdown began in January.

On Wednesday, April 21 young people met at the centre as Covid restrictions were eased.

Heather Marston, youth development worker, said: “This was very successful evening. Twenty three people turned up to enjoy a sports session downstairs - including dodge ball which they love - and a craft and art session upstairs, plus the ever popular tuck shop.”

Current restrictions mean that numbers will be limited to 30 a session, but there is no longer a need to pre-book, and those wanting to attend can just turn up.

In the immediate future, the club will be limited to two sessions per week, junior club on Wednesday - from 5.30pm to 7pm - and senior club on Friday - from 7pm to 9pm - but in the long term the group aims to return to three sessions per week.

Going forward, the club plans to go out into the community through a developing outreach programme. However, to do this it needs either more hourly paid youth workers or more volunteers.

Kelvin Clayton, chairman of Bridport Youth & Community Centre, said: “I appeal to anyone with youth work experience, or anyone who would like to work with young people who has the time to spare, to contact Heather and discuss how they could help us develop our youth work programme. This is a great opportunity to develop valuable skills and gain recognised qualifications.”

Anyone interested in becoming a youth worker should contact Heather at bridport.youth@gmail.com.