A FAST-EMERGING charitable youth project in Alloa is hosting an open day this month ahead of its official launch in April.

Looking to provide much-needed activities for young people in the area, Connect Alloa is teaming up with St Mungo's Parish Church which will serve as the venue.

The open day is set to go ahead on Saturday, March 30, between 11am and 3pm to show off some of the offering and gather more interest in the provisions on offer.

Dave Crozier, the man behind the idea, and the energetic team of trustees are hoping to start a long-term project working with local young people.

He said: "Hopefully we are going to have a Nintendo Switch by then to try, we will have the very least an air hockey table, but we are looking to have a pool table at some point too."

Top Tullibody chef Billy Campbell will also be on hand to explain what he has to offer in community cooking classes and is sure to provide some tasty samples on the day.

Dave added: "It's going to be a really informal day, we are going to have some tombola prizes, but it's more about an information day, not just for the kids but for families and the community as well.

"Come along, have a wee taste of what it is about – we are starting the following month."

The initiative has been coming along at good pace, Dave initially starting to develop the idea last November.

Since then, a board of trustees has been put in place, volunteers are being recruited and Connect Alloa also gained charitable status.

Dave said: "I genuinely wasn't sure if we'd get here this fast.

"It's been really good and it wouldn't be where it is without the support of literally every single trustee.

"They are all bringing something different to the table, but at the same time we are all on the same page. If not the same page, we are definitely reading from the same book at least."

St Mungo's Parish Church minister Rev Sang Y Cha is also onboard.

He hopes the church can act as a bridge for the community by getting involved and said: "We have no expectations that this will lead somehow to membership increasing.

"This is basically opening ourselves up at the service of the community."

He added: "It's becoming a church without walls."

The open day, where people are welcome to drop in whenever, will offer games, music, food, a tombola and volunteering opportunities.

For more details and to follow the project, find Connect Alloa on Facebook.