A cheque from the Big Lottery Fund will help to kick-start the third phase of a project to finish transforming the former Sandwich Youth Club into an eco-friendly community centre.

Within weeks of the second part of the programme being finished, it is smiles all round at the Jubilee Road building.

Phil Scott, chairman of The Phoenix Centre, said: “The £350,000 will help to regenerate the heart and social life of our community and give us a building to use with pride for the benefit of all. We still need to raise another £84,000 before the project can start, so all donations would be gratefully received.”

A package of work began at the centre in spring 2007 and the youth wing opened in October the same year.

In March celebrations were held to mark the end of phase two of the project, which has been backed by the Mercury since it was launched three years ago.

Already a series of improvements has been made to the former youth club, and there are two more phases to be completed.