BLUEPRINTS for an Orford supercentre - where youngsters can work, rest and play - have become a reality.

Young minds have been working overtime to help create a new base for the Children's Society - brainstorming about everything from the carpets right through to the wallpaper.

Plans for the £170,000 venture, which have transformed a rundown and empty shop, came under close scrutiny by a panel of junior experts.

So it was only proper that Jenny Harris and Adam Morgan, both members of the centre's Children's Forum, helped council housing director Tom Roberts to perform the official launch on Wednesday.

The building - officially titled the Play, Leisure and Participation Project - will house new sessions for an after school club and the forum's activities.

Project leader Christine Henderson said all age groups, from the under-fives upwards, had contributed ideas on every aspect of the decor.

And extra after-school places are being offered in conjunction with the council's play development unit, said Christine.

Rejuvenating premises which had stood time empty for some time has won the support of Poplars councillor Darren Pilling.

"We have taken a building of no value to the community and turned it into a something which will benefit everyone," added Clr Pilling.

£70,000 of the funding has come from the council's capital receipts,with the remainder provided by the society.

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