GREATER Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham is to officially re-open a once run-down youth club which has been transformed thanks to a former member who attended in the 1960s.

Mr Burnham will reopen Newton-le-Willows Boys and Girls Club (NB&GC) in Haydock Street tonight (September 6) at 6.30pm.

The new centre is described as a state-of-the art facility with amenities such as a cinema room and recording studio.

Salford charity Hamilton Davies Trust (HDT) have funded the £250,000 refurbishment.

Mr Burnham, a former schoolboy at St Aelred's in Newton-le-Willows, said: “The wide range of activities now available is fantastic and I hope the young people who come here enjoy them for years to come.”

The refurbishment plans were sparked when founder HDT trustee Graham Chisnall returned to his old boys' club 50 years after he left.

Inspired by fond memories of the club, he persuaded colleagues at HDT to back the centre and then project-managed the scheme and has since become a trustee of the club.

Mr Chisnall first attended the club in 1964 and went on to participate for five years, crediting a reference from the then club leader as helping him get his first job.

Mr Chisnall, 62, said: “I had very happy times at NB&GC. It was a big support to me in my youth and helped me develop the confidence to succeed in my later life.

“When I walked in again for the first time in years, it was a little down-at-heel, being run by a team of excellent volunteers with little financial backing. I decided I had to put it back on its feet. I wanted the younger generation to have the support I had and enjoy first-class facilities.

“I feel privileged and very happy to have been able to help the club that once helped me. It’s a great feeling.”

Young people helped design the refurbished NB&GC, which has a cinema room, fully equipped kitchen, recording studio, gaming room, sports hall, online community radio station and a hair and beauty salon.

Peter Dugan, Chairman of NG&GC, said: “The transformation has been amazing. This is a great club, with this new investment and the addition of WA12 Radio we can now offer first class facilities for the youth of the district.”

NB&GC, a registered charity, provides activities for those aged between eight and 18.

There has been no significant investment in NB&GC - which is mainly run by volunteers and relies on donations and fundraising to keep going - since 1962, when it was opened by singer Frankie Vaughan.