One of Bristol's most deprived areas is to benefit from a �2.5m grant for a new community centre.

The Barrowmead Project in Lawrence Weston helps combat drug and alcohol problems in the area.

But its current home in an empty shop is run-down and out-of-date, crammed between derelict buildings.

Now due to a �2.5m grant from the South West Regional Development Agency the project will be based in a brand new Healthy Living Centre.

Mr Williams welcomes the plans for a new centre

The present building, plus a nearby chip shop and post office, will be demolished.

In their place the new centre will contain a creche, meeting rooms, a counselling area and two shops.

Geoff Williams, chairman of the Barrowmead Project, welcomed the news.

He said: "It is about time the people in Lawrence Weston saw something tangible instead of people just talking about doing things.

"They will actually see something going up, something happening for once."

The final plans for the Healthy Living Centre have yet to be drawn up.

The Barrowmead Project hosts:

a drugs and alcohol support group

a transport project

an information centre

a credit union