A CENTRE for teenagers in Welland was officially opened this week.

Work converting the cellar at St James' Church began in August to provide facilities for 14 to 18-year-olds.

Known as the Undercroft, it is now open weekday evenings and has a pool table, music system, coffee machine, TV and DVD player.

The project was pioneered by the church in conjunction with local teenagers.

Conversion was funded by a £7,000 grant from the local Network Trust and money raised by the church.

"The project has gone really well," said church spokesman Sue Richardson.

"The youngsters have been involved in developing the room and buying equipment."

Although the Undercroft is not supervised, teenagers have signed a code of conduct and have parental consent to use the facility. New members also have to notify the church if they want to use the room and no more than ten people are allowed in at a time.

"They're given a lot of responsibility on how it's run, so it's not only a good facility, but a learning experience too," said Mrs Richardson.

Teenager Ben Whitehouse, who helped set up the project, said: "Our first intention was just to find somewhere to go. We'd thought of converting a bus shelter, but then the church offered us a room."

Ben said everyone had grouped together to do the painting, decorating and buying equipment.

"We really like it and we use it a lot," he said