A group aiming to give Ashby youngsters a place to go after school has been awarded a £1,000 Community Development Fund application.

Inspire Youth Collective CIC applied for the funds to 'provide a safe space' for children.

A representative of the group, Emma Armstrong, attended the recent Finance & Events committee meeting held at the Old School Room in Blackfordby.

She told councillors: "We need something for youngsters when they come out of school.

"I've spoken to the local police and they agree with me.

"I run workshops and I'm a home-education drop-in at Coalville CAN.

"But I want a safe space for teenagers so that they're not hanging around on the streets causing trouble.

"Ideally, it would be as close to a school as possible - I don't know if it's feasible, I've been looking but the properties are really expensive.

"I had asked for a meeting with the Mayor at Ashby Woulds Council, with regards to a building outside Moira. It would be a nice space - but as close to town as possible would be ideal as there are two massive schools there.

"If you go through town after school, they're just hanging around. They flood through the town.

"I've been talking to Ivanhoe School, they seem keen, and am trying to speak to someone at Ashby School."

Cllr Murrae Blair-Park said: "This is exactly what the town needs.

Cllr Pejman Zamani supported the application and asked what sort of size the building might be.

The group's representaive added: "It would be nice if there could be a space that could be divided up as a chilling out area.

"Somewhere they can do whatever they want, board games, crafting, they absolutely love it.

"Ideally, it'd be somewhere where I could also take them outside and get them active. A functional space.

"I've been working with the kids since July, and they keep coming back so I know they want to be there.

"And if you catch them young enough before they start thinking it's cool to start standing by the bike sheds, we could make a huge difference.

"Right now, I can't see where this next generation's going to go - they have serious anxiety and real issues with socialising in general.

"I'm passionate about it and I know we need it."

The committee was told that it would be for the 11-18, secondary school, age range

The committee chair, Cllr Chris Smith, said: "This is a very new venture with no track record. But I'd like to support it."

Cllr Alison Morley added: "I can see a gap in that age group. I agree that it's a new business, but I'd support it as, once you start getting some money in, you start raising confidence from other companies - that could be a springboard to getting more funds coming in."