A NEW sign and logo are taking pride of place on the Bridport Youth and Community Centre to commemorate 50 years of serving the town.

Three signs, a generous gift from Lasting Impressions of Bridport, and put up by town council staff, Ed and Paul, come as the centre re-launches itself with a new youth leader, Heather Marston, and new activities.

Katrina Polanska, the centre manager, said: “It is an exciting time for us.

“The trustees took over when Dorset County Council abandoned youth work more than two years ago and now, we are beginning to see new groups, ranging from an after-school activities club, a gardening club, sign language lessons, a mental health group for teenagers and adult sports activities like walking football and table tennis.”

Ros Kayes, chair of the trustees, said: “We have had some fantastic and very generous gifts, we are applying for grants to give us a face-lift, including new lighting and refurbishment, and the youth club has grown to more than 80 members.”

Harmony, a mental health support group, meets three times a week at the centre, a new community café is planned, and the long-established boxing club and Bandits youth motorsport club continue on the premises.