New £1.6m wing for centre opened

Income generated by the conference centre funds youth work

A new £1.6m extension to a major conference centre in Northampton has been officially opened.

The King's Park Conference Centre, ran by Action Centres UK, provides facilities for voluntary groups and other organisations in the county.

The new wing is named "Winnie Hall Lodge" in memory of the late philanthropist whose trust helped fund the 48-room facility.

EW Hall Trust chairman David Reynolds unveiled a plaque to mark the opening.

Action Centres UK is the business arm of charity Northamptonshire Association of Youth Clubs (NAYC).

John Whittaker, chief executive of NAYC, said: "Income generated by the conference and sports facilities is re-invested into the youth work we undertake.

"This enables us to employ youth workers and provide resources to meet the needs of voluntary groups, schools and individuals countywide.

"This means that the youth work being undertaken is sustainable over the long term which is vital."

The project has also been supported by the West Northamptonshire Development Corporation (WNDC) which contributed £750,000.