TEENAGERS in a Hampshire village are celebrating the opening of a new youth centre that was first suggested about 20 years ago.

The long-awaited facility, an extension to the pavilion at Lloyd Recreation Ground in Main Road, Marchwood, has been equipped with chairs, tables and a pool table.

The campaign for a youth centre began to gather pace at the start of the Millennium.

Councillor Ron Vango-Fisher, vicechairman of the parish council’s amenities committee, said: “It’s been a long time coming. We finally got permission to extend the pavilion but it took ten to 12 years to get the money together.”

Cllr Vango-Fisher said the new building cost more than £100,000, with New Forest District Council donating £85,000.