MARKYATE'S new youth centre, which was begun almost a year ago, is now well on the way to completion.

A recent inspection by parish councillors has revealed that building work on the long-awaited centre has almost finished.

And now that the size of the rooms can be assessed, the emphasis has switched from laying the foundations to choosing the necessary fixtures and fittings.

Arrangements are also being made to find a celebrity to open the youth centre, although no date has yet been fixed for the grand opening.

The Millennium youth centre in Cavendish Road has been dogged by problems since it was first announced.

A shortfall in its estimated £235,000 cost meant the scheme got off to a slow start and has taken longer than predicted to finish.