A youth centre wrecked by fire can finally be rebuilt after a massive insurance pay out.

More than £639,000 worth of improvements will be made to the Quayside Youth Centre in Southwick.

Work will start in a few weeks and is expected to be finished by November.

Insurers paid out £505,000 and West Sussex County Council topped up the amount to cover extra redevelopment costs.

David Chilton, senior manager of the council's youth service, said: "This is absolutely essential for our work in that area.

"The old centre was always extremely popular and had lots of young people through its doors.

"It dealt with a number of social issues in Southwick and Shoreham. It was one of our major centres.

"We will be delighted when it is open again.

"It's great to see the centre getting underway at last. We've waited a long time and there have been a few issues a long the way but it will be worth it."

Mark Dunn, the council's cabinet member for children's services, said: "The best things come to those who wait and the people of Southwick have been waiting a long time for this insurance money.

"Everybody has missed having this youth centre open because it is a very important resource for the community. I'm very pleased something can be done to get it replaced."

The building that burned down was of a poor standard with several extensions and on a former rubbish site.

Soil tests have been carried out to make sure the land is safe to develop again.

Coun Dunn said the centre would be built from better quality materials and be an improvement for the youth service based there.

Sean Stones has recently been appointed team leader of the youth service for Arun and will work from the centre.

Quayside, in Upper Kingston Lane, was gutted in a blaze which was fibally brought under control by 40 firefighters.

It was started by an electrical fault in the kitchen, possibly caused by rats or mice chewing through wires.

Recreation rooms, offices and a sports hall were badly damaged by smoke.

The centre had just been redecorated and had a new roof and new toilets when the fire struck.

It was used by the youth service for work among 11 to 25-year-olds and hosted a number of clubs including a martial arts group.

Children and teenagers have been using temporary alternative accommodation since.

The council has asked parents and community groups what they think of the new designs and have had a positive response.

Adur District Council has supported the redevelopment.

Brighton company Penfold Verrall won the contract to carry out the work and planning permission has been given.