A WORCESTER Scout hut is being refurbished to make it available for more users.

The Scout hut on Medway Road, Ronkswood, will be extended to incorporate a youth club after a National Lottery grant.

The 18th Worcester Scout Group was awarded £199,466 from the Community Fund for the three-year project.

The grant will pay for construction and refurbishment costs, professional fees as well as salaries for two part-time youth workers and computer equipment.

The project has been welcomed by city MP Mike Foster.

"I'm delighted to see this cash going to a local community project," he said. "Youth and community workers will help local people help themselves to a better quality of life in Ronkswood.

"The Scout hut is a well-known landmark, and I'm sure local residents will also welcome the improvements that are planned.

"Having facilities for young people will be a real boost to those who complain there is nothing to do in the evenings and at weekends.

"If this helps cut back on petty vandalism and anti-social behaviour, it will have done local residents a big favour."

Worcester city Councillor Mike Layland said to make the project work, youth workers needed to infiltrate the estates and involve the children.

"They've got to get the kids interested and doing what they want under supervision," said Coun Layland.

"We've got to get away from the smashing-up attitude that we're seeing all over the place.

"This is superb news and there's nothing to stop us creating another Perdiswell Young People's Club in Ronkswood.

"It's no good throwing money at it, though, if the kids aren't going to use it. We've got to have youth workers in the community and not sat behind computers."