Work begins on new Grimsby youth centre

Horizon Youth Zone will include a climbing wall and music recording studio

Work has begun on a new youth centre in North East Lincolnshire.

Horizon Youth Zone at Grimsby's former West Haven Maltings and Migar House site will have a music studio, gym and climbing wall when it opens in 2025.

Some of the teenagers from the youth project took part in an exchange trip to New Bedford in Massachusetts, USA.

Waltham Toll Bar Academy pupil Jacob said he enjoyed learning about "what opportunities I could have in the future" during the visit.

The new youth centre is expected to offer activities for thousands of young people aged eight to 19 when it opens.

Sessions are expected to cost 50p and the organisation said it aims to help people develop their skills.

Teenagers involved in the project took park in an exchange trip to Massachusetts

Ten young people already involved in the project visited the United States for a week.

The trip included visits to the University of Massachusetts, the New Bedford Whaling Museum and a visit to the popular Providence WaterFire art installation.

Jacob said: "Visiting the whaling museum, it was like the Fishing Heritage Centre in Grimsby, and I could see the parallels between the two towns."

Xander, 13, said the trip had helped him develop his confidence.

He said: "I have never been that far and never travelled without parents, so this was a first for me.

"New Bedford is very similar to Grimsby, with the fishing industry. It was very different from what I expected but it was awesome and I am proud of myself for going."

The trip aimed to develop connections between Grimsby and New Bedford, as both towns are working on offshore wind farms.

The centre is expected to open in 2025