A DREAM to create a purpose-built youth and community centre in West Somerset has suffered a slight, but only temporary, dent after plans for a grand opening had to be delayed.

Only last week, the team behind the £3.5 million Minehead Eye announced they would be opening the centre on the first weekend of the school summer holidays.

But a building glitch means parts of the centre will not now be ready in time - although the long-awaited skate area will still be among the first facilities to open early in the school holidays.

Disappointed director Naomi Griffith said: "Obviously we are gutted that after all the hard work we won't be able to open the whole building on the day we wanted, but it gives us a good excuse to have another summer party a few weeks later when it all comes together."

She said everyone involved was forging ahead with the scheme and was determined to get the whole building up and running as soon as possible.

"We are aiming to open the main skate area early in the holidays as planned, but it looks like the café and some of the youth centre elements will not be ready for use until a couple of weeks into the holidays.

"In the spirit of the project, which has always been to make the best of the situation, we are re-jigging the layout to create a chill-out area to give young people a taste of things to come and we hope everyone, young and old, will continue to support us," Naomi said.

She added: "Plans for an opening festival of events are being scaled back a bit but we will still have loads of exciting activities and a big party early in the summer.

"We will keep updating everyone about progress as it happens."

As well as extreme sports facilities and a cafe, the centre will also have a computer area, DJ booth and space for young people to meet, relax and get involved in a range of creative projects.

There will also be an opportunity for people aged between 15 and 21 to become paid young advisors for the whole of West Somerset.

Eight people will be paid £8 an hour for a few hours' work a week as members of the Young Advisors West Somerset group.

The group is part of a national scheme - funded locally by West Somerset Council's Working Neighbourhood's Fund Government grant - which helps community leaders and decision makers engage with young people in community life and regeneration projects.

Minehead EYE is also looking to recruit casual staff for the summer holidays and beyond.

More information is available on the website http://www.minehead-eye.co.uk">www.minehead-eye.co.uk, while a young advisors recruitment event will take place on Saturday, July 10, at 1pm at Minehead Methodist Church in The Avenue, Minehead.

l West Somerset's hidden gems will be coming into focus in the coming weeks as part of a competition organised to celebrate both the Cultural Olympiad and the forthcoming opening of Minehead EYE.

The Extraordinary Place - Photograph and Find Competition challenges people of all ages to take a picture of their favourite hidden gem and write a couple of sentences about why it is a special place.

Entries also have to be accompanied by easy-to-follow instructions on how to find the photo subject from the Minehead Eye.

"The directions can be on foot, by bike, open-top bus, steam train, car or even skateboard - the weirder the more wonderful as far as we're concerned," competition organiser Molly Studley of Minehead EYE said.

The entries will be exhibited at Minehead EYE and visitors will be asked to visit the places and vote for their favourite.

The competition is limited to two entries per person and photos and descriptions must be emailed to [email protected]">[email protected] before July 16.