STOW-on-the-Wold's youth club has had a massive boost in membership following a £95,000 makeover.

The youth club, on the Fosseway, has been fully refurbished into a modern internet café for young people.

Before the refurbishment membership had dwindled to just a handful but the youth club is now drawing in crowds of around 50 young people.

The improvements have allowed the club to make the centre more energy efficient with grants received by Corey Environmental.

Club secretary Rob Barnett said: "We have renewed the heating system to make it more efficient and improved the thermal insulation and double glazing.

"This has had the knock-on effect of improving the acoustics in the club."

Other improvements that have been made include full disabled access and disabled facilities, a new pool table and football table and new toilets and kitchen.

Mr Barnett said: "We consulted young people about what they wanted and I feel we have increased the options for young people who genuinely have nowhere else to go.

"I have had overwhelmingly positive feedback from the young people about the new-look club."

The centre currently runs a junior and senior club and has been able to recruit a new senior youth worker, Steve MacDonald.

Two new youth support workers have also been appointed which means the club is able to expand its opening times.

Mr Barnett said: "We were only running two nights a week but from May 7 we will open three nights and our ultimate aim is to open four senior nights and two junior sessions a week in a few months time."

The club will be holding its annual meeting on June 5 at 7pm and is hoping to recruit more volunteers.

For more information contact Rob Barnett on 01451 832283.