YOUNGSTERS dug deep and put in the spadework to herald the start of building work on a state-of-the-art youth centre.

Four young members from Bolton Lads and Girls Club were given the task yesterday of cutting the first sod of grass to officially mark the start of construction for their new multi-million pound headquarters.

Ten months after receiving £3.7 million of Lottery cash and having raised half a million pounds themselves, club managers, Lottery chiefs and building bosses celebrated the project's latest landmark.

The complex, being built on Spa Road - just half a mile from the club's present Bark Street home - will feature top sports facilities and administrative offices, as well as a library section.

It means that in early 2002 the 110-year-old club will move from its current cramped base to the plush new centre on the site of the former Navada roller rink.

Laura Nuttall, the club's chairman, was on hand to watch the sod-cutting ceremony. She said: "It's absolutely brilliant. I can't believe I'm standing here and we're about to start work on the building.

"I just want to thank everybody who has helped us get to this point. It's a real Bolton achievement."

The Sport England lottery grant is the biggest to be handed out in the region so far and Stuart Bailey, the organisation's regional development manager, also attended the special ceremony.

He said: "It's fantastic that they have finally broken the ground and are making this dream a reality for the club."

Nina Gingell, John Szekely, Simon Quick and Carla Smith were given the task of cutting the first sod.

Carla, 18, added: "This is a real honour for us. We've all been members of the club for a number of years and have a lot of memories of it.

"This new centre will bring more people into the club and help bring other youngsters off the streets."

Building workers from John Turner and Sons stood by, preparing to continue with site clearance works, to clear away shrubs and debris to allow construction work to start.

John Clarke, a construction director with the company, confirmed the building would take a year to complete.

He added: "We're delighted to have won the contract for such a prestigious project."