YOUNG people in Tilbury will be able to benefit from 'a home away from home' at the town's youth centre with new recreational equipment and WiFi.

Pool tables, table football and console games can be enjoyed as the centre, based at Centenary House, starts to open back up to larger groups. Young people can also benefit from free WiFi access, as requested by the Thurrock Youth Cabinet. A professional music studio will also be available by the summer.

Funding for the new equipment has come from the £500,000 fast-tracked by the government to the Tilbury Town Fund Board. Chaired by Peter Ward, commercial director for the Port of Tilbury, the board consists of local businesses and community partners including Creative People and Places Partnership, One Community Development Trust and Thurrock MP, Jackie Doyle-Price.

It is one of 101 towns that will potentially benefit from a government pot of £3.6billion, set aside to benefit from the fund. Aside from the initial half million to kick off the project, Tilbury could potentially receive up to £25 million to help improve infrastructure, drive economic growth and increase job opportunities.

The board has submitted its application for the cash to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government and it should find out if it has been successful by this summer.

Mr Ward said: "The initial funding has enabled the board to kick-off many projects that will transform Tilbury and keep the needs of its community at the forefront of its regeneration."

Thurrock Council's cabinet member for education Cllr Andrew Jefferies, said: "We want the centre to be a home away from home for young people who have felt isolated throughout the pandemic and had limited interaction with their peers due to COVID-19 restrictions.

"Young people can take advantage of one-to-one mentoring sessions that have been restarted at the centre to address mental health and wellbeing."

Tilbury Town Fund Board has funded other projects including new outdoor fitness and Parkour areas at King George playing field and Anchor Fields park; additional walking routes; and the demolition of the old fire station that will be the site of the new Tilbury Integrated Medical Centre.