A NEW sports centre has proved a runaway success with residents, schools, youth groups and clubs.

The gym, sports hall and leisure facilities are part of a £9.5 million youth campus at YMCA North Staffordshire, which opened in late December.

It is now a base for the Staffordshire Cricket Board, which runs sessions in the indoor nets for youth players, and is also used by clubs from Sandyford, Silverdale, Endon and Meir Heath. The hall has also been adapted for the Stoke Spitfires wheelchair basketball squad.

Adrian Tilstone, activities centre manager, said: "We can help anyone from absolute beginners to improving sportsmen and women."

The youth campus has been supported by the Government-backed 'myplace' scheme.