This is the first glimpse of a planned £2m new youth hub for Runcorn offering a range of services from cookery and gaming, to vegetable growing and table tennis.

The inclusive hub will also host specific events tailored to young people with SEND or who struggle with anxiety.

The site in Runcorn Old Town is part of the Reconnecting Runcorn project, a list of seven town centre schemes to be funded by a £23.6m grant from the government's Town Deal.

The planned £2m youth hub on High Street - which will be known as Youthy.com - aims to create a 'safe and engaging space' where young people can come together, build relationships, and create the sense of community.

Project chiefs at Power in Partnership (PIP) - the organisation behind the scheme - said services on offer will include cookery sessions, table tennis, TikTok dances, and opportunities for Internet and gaming enthusiasts. In an initiative called 'Veg Heads',  PIP said it plans to encourage a 'connection with nature' by teaching young people to grow their own vegetables.

They aid there will be 'something for everyone', offering a diverse range of activities from film nights to evenings catering to SEND or anxious young people.

PIP runs sites in Widnes, Runcorn and Leigh in Greater Manchester, and bosses said the project has its roots in the challenges created by lockdowns, A spokeswoman said: "The stress on children and families during this time was immense, prompting PIP to not only provide immediate support but also to strategically plan for the future of its services."

Planning permission was granted, subject to conditions, for the plans at 63-65 and 57-59 High Street in August last year. The organisation said the new facilities will allow it to double the number of young people it serves in the town.

She said: "In this planning phase, PIP acknowledges the valuable input from the young minds it serves. Despite their age, our young people possess 'big ideas' that shape the blueprint for PIP's future initiatives. Currently hosting 80 young people at its Grangeway Centre, PIP anticipates doubling this number in Old Town within the first six months."

You can view the virtual reality film of what the space will look like here. Credit - K2 Architects, Liverpool.