PORTISHEAD Youth Centre is broadening the range of activities it has on offer, to appeal to youngsters of all ages.

Dance groups for five to 10-year-olds, disco nights for eight to 11-year-olds and karate lessons for all ages are all set to become regular activities at the Harbour Road building this summer.

Since the withdrawal of youth funding, the centre has had to rely on fundraising, donations and grant aid to keep its doors open. Those managing the centre are now tasked with increasing its regular income to ensure a range of services, including providing a youth club for teenagers, can continue beyond the end of 2012.

Assistant centre manager, Kim Dodd, said: “We are looking at ways to utilise the building seven days a week to benefit the whole community and also raise our income, so that we can continue to fund youth provision at the centre, which we know is important for young people in the town.”

The centre currently runs a youth club for youngsters aged 11 and over, three evenings a week and plans are underway to provide other events for teenagers, from live bands and film nights to sports and life skills courses.

Kim added: “Portishead is lucky enough to have this first class, newly-refurbished centre, which needs to be opened up to as many user groups as possible to maximise its usage, which in turn will help fund the youth programme.”

The centre offers preschool activities including soft play, art, crafts and baby sensory sessions Monday to Friday from 9.30am-2.30pm and the community coffee bar is open to the general public on weekdays until 6pm.

Youth club operates on Monday, Tuesday and Thursday evenings and Audacity dance troupe, for those aged 11 and over, meets on Monday evenings between 7-9pm.

The new junior disco nights for primary school children start on June 22. Entry costs �3 which includes drinks and nibbles, disco games and dance competitions.

There will be a free taster session for the junior street dance classes, which will be supported by Audacity, on June 18 between 5.45-6.45pm. Spaces for the free taster will be limited so places should be booked by calling 01275 842461.

For more details about the centre visit www.portisheadyouthclub.co.uk