By Hayley Robinson

It only opened its doors five weeks ago but a new youth club in Sittingbourne is already proving to be a big hit with the youngsters.

In the first week of opening 14 teenagers attended The Underground club, which operates from Sittingbourne Baptist Church in Sittingbourne High Street and by the second week it had attracted 19 youngsters.

The free club, which runs every Friday from 7.30pm to 9.30pm, offers snooker tables, table tennis, a TV and DVD player, computer consoles such as a Wii and PS2, PCs and a projector. There is also a tuck shop for youngsters to buy refreshments.

Husband and wife team Jo and Leigh Holmes started the club in a bid to provide a safe haven for youngsters aged 11 to 18.

The couple, who are members of the church, also have two children Ellie, 13, and Edward, six.

Jo said: "It does appear to be successful so far and the numbers are slowly building up.

"We started working with children at the beginning of September as youth workers. We love working with young people and that’s why we decided to start the youth club. We wanted to do more than just attend the church every Sunday.

"There are plenty of things for them to do. We just want them to have a place to come to that is safe and keeps them off the streets.

"We just hope the numbers will continue to grow but to do that we need people to know the youth club exists."

Anyone interested in finding out more about the club is invited to pop along on Friday nights.