MORE than 35 children, their parents and community leaders celebrated the long-awaited opening of the Exmoor Community Youth Club in Exford last Friday.

The club, which is based in the newly-refurbished pavilion in the village, offers children between the ages of eight and 16 a place to meet and enjoy a range of activities in safety and under supervision.

The launch event, which was hosted by chairman Robin Ashburner, featured a French cricket session with Mike Winzer, body painting with Leanne Langer from the Somerset Rural Youth Project, cake decorating and a bouncy castle.

There was also a barbecue run by Bernard Webber, while regular club organisers Lorna Tasker and Alison Bagley were on hand to meet the young visitors and their parents.

The club meets every Friday between 6pm and 8pm and organisers are also planning to start junior cricket for local youngsters on Monday evenings.

More information is available on 01643 851430.