A new youth centre is planned for Deal, on the former indoor tennis centre land in Victoria Park - within sight of Linwood in Mill Road.

The announcement comes six months after the end of the Mercury-backed campaign to stop the threatened closure of Linwood, when more than 3,000 people signed the Save Our Linwood petition.

On Saturday the Labour Party team which launched the protest was in Deal High Street handing out leaflets about the latest plans for the purpose-built youth centre.

Team member Cllr Pam Hawkins, a district councillor for middle Deal and Sholden, said: "We wanted to pass on the great news, which is a direct result of the fantastic campaign to Save Our Linwood, backed by the East Kent Mercury and thousands of residents, which sent a powerful message to KCC that it couldn’t ignore.

"The increasing trend of unemployment among our young people makes the need for continued youth services in Deal even greater. Not only is it essential that they have somewhere to go for recreation - but also somewhere to receive help and advice. This is brilliant news!"

* For full story see the East Kent Mercury, April 12.