DREAMS of a youth drop-in centre in Ringwood have moved a step closer to fruition after the project was chosen to benefit from a £400,000 investment by Hampshire County Council.

Hampshire County Council leader Cllr Roy Perry, at his Decision Day last week pledged £1.5million to help bring forward three youth support, skills and economy projects including the centre in Ringwood.

It is hoped work on the new purpose-built youth drop-in centre at Carvers Playing Field, which will be next to the new skate park, can start in the New Year.

The news has been welcomed by Ringwood Town and New Forest district councillor Jeremy Heron, who was a lead campaigner for the new youth centre.

He said: “I am delighted. It means this long-needed facility is now going to become a reality rather than a dream and we will hopefully go forward and build it in the New Year.

“We are very grateful Hampshire County Council has supported the town in this venture.”

It is hoped the new centre will provide a variety of services for young people in Ringwood from providing an informal, safe and secure place to advice on sexual health and careers.

Cllr Perry added: "Successful partnerships like these enable us to maintain investment in Hampshire, especially of benefit to Hampshire’s young people, at a time when we are dealing with significant cuts in our budget, redesigning services and having to make taxpayers’ money go further.

“We acknowledge the important role of these schemes within their communities, backed by the huge commitment shown by the partners.

“The town council and the local community in Ringwood are to be commended for their plans and for their willingness to put up some of their own funding, both towards the building costs and supporting the youth workers, for what will become a significant youth facility, with regular activities and sports and access to advice and support on a wide range of issues such as health and learning and development.

“It will be a big improvement on the tennis pavilion they have been operating in up to now.”