YOUTH club members today officially marked the start of construction work on their new multi-million pound headquarters.

Last December the BEN revealed that £3.7 million of Lottery cash had been awarded to Bolton Lads and Girls club.

The huge cash injection meant that the 110-year-old club would be able to move from its original Bark Street premises. The Sport England windfall followed a three-year campaign to win Lottery approval for the planned sports centre earmarked for the former Nevada roller rink site. And this morning dignitaries and four youngsters from the club gathered for the official sod-cutting ceremony, to herald the start of the building work.

John Szekley, Nina Gingell and Carla Smith, all 18, and Marcus Dias, 22, had the honour of digging to mark the start of the project.

Club manager Jeremy Glover said: "We decided that it should be the kids who cut the first sod to stress that they are the most important part of the club. The new centre, which the club had to put half a million to, will include a floodlit all-weather pitch, sports hall, fitness suite and offices. If building work goes to schedule the club's new HQ will be open in early 2002.