A CHARTY for young people is to get a multi-thousand pound make-over after impressing a businessman who launched a community campaign.

Mike Banton, managing director of Artez, a Bolton-based boutique construction company, has announced that Harmony Youth Project which helps young people has taken the top prize.

Its current base at Wordsworth Industrial Estate, Halliwell, will be transformed over the summer by the Artez team.

Harmony is a well established charity that works with the town’s most disadvantaged youngsters who have interests and skills in music, photography, video and other creative arts.

The dedicated team help them to realise their individual potential through creativity and promote a strong message of equality, self-confidence, anti-bullying and multiculturalism.

Charlie Barrett, project co-ordinator at Harmony, said: “I am so excited that our project has been selected by Artez – I cannot stop smiling!

“Although we work with what we have, the building has seen better days and, until now, it has been a pipe dream to be able to improve the space.

"Artez has given us the opportunity to transform the environment we provide to young people and help them in ways we never thought possible.”

The campaign, which was launched in April, received a high number of entries from causes across Bolton.

Mike said: "Over the years we've seen Bolton flourish and our affinity to the town had grown too. We are very proud of our roots and wanted to give something back to the community that has supported us."

He added: “When we visited Harmony Youth Project, it was clear that young people really benefit from the club. It’s far from a standard youth club and youngsters are truly supported in developing their creative talents.

“All of the entries were of a high standard and each one would be worthy of winning in its own unique way, so we’d like to take this opportunity to thank everyone who submitted an application.

“We’re looking forward to re-visiting Harmony in the next few weeks and working with Charlie and the team – we hope to make a real, tangible impact to the club.”

Work is set to commence this summer and the refurbishment will include a renovated kitchen, roof insulation, internal decorating and a new performance stage.

Artez is itself an award wining company and has been responsible for many major projects including Bolton's The Market Place regeneration and the Bunker building in Liverpool, as well as several projects in Manchester. It is based at Lostock and employs 23 people.