LYPPARD Grange Community Centre will be giving more time to young people in the New Year.

The community centre in Warndon Villages plans to increase the number of nights for youth groups from one to two a week.

At the moment, two groups of different ages meet at the centre on Tuesday nights, leaving teenagers in the estate with little to do on the other nights.

"The session for under-14s runs until about 8pm and then the 14 to 19-year-olds are in there from 8pm onwards," said county councillor John Buckley, spokesman for youth involvement on behalf of the Lyppard Grange Management Board.

In November, Coun Buckley appealed for volunteers to come forward so the centre could put on three youth nights. But those plans were dismissed at December's meeting of Warndon Parish Council as too ambitious.

However, starting in 2003, the centre's management board has agreed to allocate two nights a week to youth groups.

"We are going to extend the younger session so they will have the whole of the Tuesday night," said Councillor Buckley.

"Then the older group will meet in the barn area on another night, possibly a Monday or a Wednesday - the day hasn't been decided yet.

"It is going to be more of a drop-in centre where they can listen to music.

"Volunteers have come forward and we are going to use these people to develop the sessions according to their particular interest.

"For example, if someone had an interest in disco music or an indoor sport then we will book them in for a particular night."

Plans are also being discussed to have youth workers on hand at the weekly groups so the teenagers can get advice or discuss any problems.

"If they have any problems, they can come in and talk to someone one on one and, if we can, we can help them develop," said Coun Buckley.