A CHARITABLE youth project "exceeded expectations" in its first week with work ongoing to build on early successes.

Connect Alloa last week launched its youth nights with various activities on offer for young people between P7 aged children and 17-year-olds.

The club is open on Tuesdays and Fridays each week with two age groups; P7s to S3s between 7pm and 8.15pm and S4s to 17 between 8.30pm and 9.30pm.

It is hosted at St Mungo's Parish Church as a venue, but is not a religious project.

It allows young people to gather and socialise with a pool table, table tennis, board games, arts and crafts, air hockey, music and more on offer.

A Nintendo Switch with a projector is also available and has proven to be the most popular activity so far.

Dave Crozier, the man behind the project who is supported by local trustees and enthusiastic volunteers, told the Advertiser: "Our first week of youth groups has exceeded my expectations.

"We've had an average of 10 young people each night, who are already asking for longer sessions, and they are great at telling us their honest opinions.

"Connect Alloa were also part of a recent Participatory Budgeting event ran by Ludgate and St Mungo's Parish Churches.

"Many worthy community groups applied for funds and Connect Alloa were among the successful applicants. We will soon be awarded £750 to directly benefit the groups."

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