A TRIAL youth club has been so successful it has been extended for four more weeks.

The club was set up in Tiptree after the Safer Colchester Project established there was nothing for youngsters to do in the village.

It is held on a Friday in the staff room at jam maker Wilkin & Sons’ factory, which is equipped with table tennis, snooker and pool tables and has been lent free of charge.

The initial three-week trial saw up to 90 youths, aged 11 to 17, attend the club, proving to organisers there is a need for such a scheme.

The Integrated Youth Services team at Essex County Council has helped extend the trial for four weeks, giving the youth club committee the chance to try to establish the club as a regular fixture.

The organising committee hopes other local businesses and residents will come forward to offer support.

Sarah Bays, part of the organising team, said: “We are delighted with the success of the club so far and really hope we can get this off the ground permanently.

“Wilkin’s has been extremely generous in providing such excellent facilities, and we really do not want to waste such a fantastic opportunity for our youngsters.

“Now we have been given the additional support of the Integrated Youth Services to extend our trial sessions, we need to raise funds to provide permanent facilities.

“While the premises already boast excellent facilities, we need to consider these are the property of Wilkin’s and its staff, and start to raise some funds to ensure we can maintain all the equipment and introduce additional items.

“We have been lucky enough to have a projector and screen leant to us by the Integrated Youth Services, but their involvement is short term.

“We also need more volunteers to come forward to offer their help to supervise the sessions on a rota basis.”

Jo Wheatley, community projects officer for the Safer Colchester Project, said: “This is really well deserved, especially by all the volunteers involved, and the young people who have obviously appreciated this new provision.”

Tiptree police have also given their full backing to the scheme. Sgt Andy Drake said: “I have made a point of going across to see it myself and have been really impressed with the enthusiasm of the youngsters and volunteers alike.”

Anyone willing to support the club, practically or financially, should call Sarah Bays on 07729 511518 or e-mail her at sarah@century-office.co.uk