Building work has begun on a centre to provide social, educational and health services for young people.

The Crew Club, in Whitehawk, Brighton, is one of the city's leading providers of youth services.

It has been awarded £909,000 funding from eb4U, East Brighton's New Deal for Communities regeneration programme.

Work on the new building, which is close to the Crew Club's existing temporary home in Coolham Drive, was started on June 12.

It will cater for young people aged 11 to 22.

The plans were developed in consultation with young people, residents, community groups and other organisations.

They include flexible learning facilities, a music studio, an IT suite, space for dance and drama, and private areas for confidential health and counselling services.

The building will also provide a centre for young people, their families, and the community to access information and services from other organisations.

The Crew Club has more than 500 members and is based in portable cabins which are too small and restrict the range of services the club can provide.

The new facility, mainly funded by eb4U, will enable the club to offer a wide range of better quality services which it hopes will increase membership.

Crew Club member Daniel Sloan, 13, said: "Our old club is too small. There will be more space in the new building, more things to do and more young people will be able to come along."

Darren Snow, Crew Club manager, said: "This facility will be a huge asset for the whole community in East Brighton and will enable us to provide substantially improved services for young people.

"Despite this generous funding award which will cover the construction costs, we still need to raise additional money to decorate, furnish and equip the building and pay for the running costs."

The club needs £50,000 to finish the building and £200,000 a year to support its services and activities.

An application has been submitted to the Big Lottery Young People's Fund and a fund-raising campaign is underway.

The Crew Club is hoping organisations, including the business community, will support the campaign.

Phil Doyle, chairman of the Crew Club trustees, said: "East Brighton is an area of considerable social and economic deprivation and young people growing up here face many difficulties.

"This building will allow us to develop new partnerships and create more opportunities for young people to overcome their problems and achieve success."

Contact the Crew Club on 01273 608607 to find out how you can help support the fund-raising campaign.