FERNHURST'S new drop-in centre will open on Tuesday, to offer a range of activities for the whole community.

A week ahead of the opening, visitors had the opportunity to look around the centre in Crossways Road, located between the launderette and the Chinese restaurant, at an open evening.

The official opening will follow on May 17.

Fernhurst's vicar Rev Tony Roake has worked hard to make the centre a reality, and explained more at the annual parish meeting last week.

"The idea is to to bring something to the centre of the community," Mr Roake said. "It may fail, but we hope it will succeed. We're not naive, we've put a lot of work into this."

Mr Roake paid tribute to Julia Roxon and Peter Hudson who helped get the project off the ground.

The centre will provide job-hunting services, counselling and local information.

It will also serve as a bookable venue for meetings and training sessions for local businesses and organisations.

"There will be six computers, one suitable for games and one will be an 'e-government' computer," Mr Roake said.

"There will also be a cafe. We're not allowed to make food on the premises but we can serve it."

All age groups will be catered for, from the village youth to Age Concern, which will visit once a month to provide advice as part of its outreach programme.

"There will be evenings for young people; some will be closed sessions with a structured activity, while others will be more open," Mr Roake explained.

"We're looking for a youth worker to work with us."

The vicar is hoping to attract volunteers to help run the centre, in roles both large and small.

"Some may just be happy with giving out refreshments while others may be able to give their expertise, business and legal advice or IT support." he said.

"People will have the opportunity to help in some way, according to their skills, gifts, or interests."

Adult education courses will be up and running by April 29, with the other facilities phased in gradually.

"Certainly the adult education courses will be available when we open, as well as the drop in use, the cafe and also something for the youngsters," he said.

"We've already had lots of interest from the community in using the facility."

Mr Roake has been working towards the centre's opening for the past two years.

In October, Chichester District Council agreed to waive the £7,000 rent for the first year.

Among others, the project has received support from Midhurst Adult Education, Chichester District Council and WSCC Family Learning.

• For more information about the centre or to offer help, call Mr Roake on 01428 652 229.