A NEW youth project bringing the best of Bolton Lads and Girls Club to Westhoughton is set to open at the end of next month.

Work on the Westhoughton Youth Project, which is based at the old primary school in Central Drive, is motoring ahead and the new site is starting to take shape.

Supporters of the project were given a tour of the site by project manager Tony Grimshaw, including Bolton West MP Chris Green and Chris Houghton of Westhoughton firm Eventura, who is a founder patron.

Important steps in the project are being completed, with bosses gaining funding to cover the costs of appointing a manager of the project for the first two years, and has also being given a lease on the building.

Karen Openshaw, development manager at Bolton Lads and Girls Club, who is overseeing the Westhoughton site, said: "It is going very well, we are getting there now and it all seems to be coming together."

But still on the agenda is fundraising, the project needs £100,000 to allow the building to be fit for purpose and to purchase all the equipment needed.

Half of this has already been raised, but another £50,000 is needed.

Mrs Openshaw said: "We have had a lot of generous people coming forward and supporting us, but we always need more and anyone who wants to get involved would be warmly welcomed.

"The support from everyone has been fantastic, we have had a lot of things for free from people who have been really kind to us.

"Any Westhoughton businesses who get involved wand support us financially will have a plaque put up on the wall so that their help is recognised."

The tour of the site came after the project's first business breakfast networking event was held at Provenance Restaurant and Bar on Market Street in Westhoughton.

It is hoped that the Westhoughton site will become the first of many 'satellite' clubs offering similar services to Bolton Lads and Girls Club.

Anyone who would like to help the project is asked to call Mrs Openshaw on 07787 255 356.