PERSHORE'S Riverside Youth Centre is at the centre of a major revamp to secure the future of the charity and make the town a "centre of excellence for canoeing".

The project to extend the centre got underway this month after two years of fundraising by the trustees to raise the £377,000 needed with major contributors including Severn Waste Services, Sport England, British Canoeing and Wychavon District Council.

The extension will take six months and will see a brand new changing facility, showers, classrooms, storage for canoes and improved access to the river, but the centre will remain open for business.

It is hoped the development will also build a better relationship between the town and the River Avon as well as making it possible to develop canoeing and paddlesports activities for a wide range of young people.

Alex Mellor, centre manager, has had the task of raising most of the funds.

He said: "As well as developing watersports, the project will help to secure the future of the youth centre charity so it can continue with its clubs, advice and support for young people.

"This is going to be a great new facility - making Pershore a centre of excellence for canoeing. Thank you so much to everyone that has contributed to the centre over the last 12 months, both the major donors, and the gifts in kind from local organisations and individuals that make it all possible.

"This is a great community facility with all the benefits it offers for the young people. The extension will make it possible for us to offer access to paddlesports on a much wider scale, which will give us the income we need to secure our future."

With its own river frontage, the youth centre is already home to the Wychavon Kayak and Canoe club.

Mr Mellor added: "It has so much potential to become a hub for canoe activities.

"Pershore does';t make the most of the river, the town has its back to it, so we have the support to change this from everyone.

"This is a stepping stone to using the river more."

During the work the centre will stay open and Mr Mellor said he hopes the development will alert people to Pershore's "best kept secret".

"The centre is such an asset to the community but we are tucked away. One message is that we are here."

For more information visit pershoreyouth.org.uk or call 01386 554713.