THE Lounge youth facility in Alvechurch has gone from strength to strength since its official opening by Bromsgrove MP Sajid Javid in February.

By day, the Lounge, based at 22 The Square, Alvechurch, is a community internet cafe and coffee shop run by Alvechurch Communities Together (ACT), a not-for-profit organisation.

It provides free internet access to paying customers, and serves a range of freshly brewed coffees, a selection of teas, cold drinkgs, homemade cakes, biscuits and hot and cold snacks.

By night, on three evenings of the week, The Lounge is used by the dedicated ACT youth club, known as Youth@TheLounge.

The club provides a safe and warm venue for local young people to meet their friends, take part in activities and to use the internet in a controlled environment. The cost is just 50p on admission.

On Wednesdays, from 8-10pm, the club is open for 16-18 year olds, on Thursday from 5-7pm it is open for 11-12 year olds, and from 7.30-9.30pm for youngsters aged 13-15.

All staff and volunteers are CRB checked and given the correct training for their roles within the venture.

To raise funds, The Lounge held a posh table top sale recently, and will also be hosting a bingo night on Friday, July 22 from 7-9pm. Tickets are £5 per person, which includes buffet and drink. Tickets are available from The Lounge on a first come, first served basis.

For more details, email the-lounge@live.co.uk, call 0121 445 5512 or see alvechurchlounge.org.uk.