A YOUTH leader in Ringwood has pledged that work will finally start on the longawaited youth building in September if funding can be secured.

Ringwood Youth Working Party chairman Jeremy Heron says it will be a “challenge” but hopes work on the £300,000 purpose-built cafe at Carvers Field for the town’s teenagers will start soon.

Residents, parents and organisations are backing the plan for the single-storey youth cafe built on the former tennis court pavilion site.

Three years ago, a dedicated group of Ringwood School pupils put a plan into action for a cafe-style building that they can call their own.

The group secured the backing of Hampshire County Council, New Forest District Council and Ringwood Town Council, who have all pledged funding for the scheme.

A town council application for charitable status is expected to be submitted in the next two weeks.