A Dorset village is to get a new youth venue – thanks to work by a local church.

The opening of CJ’s, in Lytchett Minster, next month comes after the Church of Lytchett Minster and St Dunstan’s at Upton raised £135,000 in a bid to create an outstanding facility.

The building is next door to Lytchett Minster School, with whom the church hopes to forge even stronger connections.

The youth cafe will be run by the church and overseen by Chris Trent.

He is a full-time Christian youth worker in Lytchett Minster, Upton and Turlin Moor.

He said: “It's about people not buildings but this venue is going to be great for the young people who pass through its doors.”

The previously derelict building, at the foot of the school’s driveway, was used by the school as its home economics block.

The church wants to make its youth work more purposeful.

It says the building is ideal for welcoming young people each afternoon and again in the evenings.

It will offer informal training in areas such as cooking, internet security, budgeting and leadership, as well as Christian discipleship opportunities.

The wooden-clad building will be dedicated on Sunday, February 15 by the Bishop of Sherborne, Graham Kings, pictured above.

He has been keen to support the project from its inception, say project supporters.

It is hoped CJ’s will also become a mutli-agency hub for the community.

The church is still looking to fund some of the internal decoration and crucial equipment.

Although there have been some generous grants, the majority of the money has been raised directly by church members keen to invest in the next generation.

Anyone who wants to make a contribution should contact the team rector, the Rev Canon Jean de Garis. She can be reached on 01202 624622.