WORK is to begin on transforming a youth centre in Harrow Weald into a community and sports complex that will provide "something for everyone".

Construction of Watford FC's Community Sports and Education Trust's £4.2million project to build a replacement for Cedars Youth and Community Centre in Chicheley Gardens starts the week beginning November 22.

Residents will benefit from a sports hall, a gym and climbing wall, as well as computers, a cafe, a music studio and a creative arts space in the new two-storey building where visiting police officers and local residents associations will be given workspace.

The all-weather pitch will host the trust's Kickz soccer courses and physical education lessons from local schools.

Activities must be provided for teenagers up to the age of 19 until as late as 9pm on Friday and Saturdays as a condition of the club winning the grant from the MyPlace Lottery fund that is bankrolling the whole scheme.

Members of the public will have free access between 3pm and 6pm on weekdays and 1pm and 5pm at weekends, with 14 hours a week set aside for private hire.

Watford FC intends to hold eight football events at the centre each year that are currently hosted at Roger Bannister Sports Centre in Uxbridge Road, Hatch End.

Neil Hart, head of community development at the trust, said: "We are delighted we can now move into the construction phase after two years of hard work the project can now become a reality for young people and local residents in Harrow.

"I would like to thank LOM Architecture and Design who have designed an exceptional facility.

"We now look forward to working with Farnrise Construction in order to produce a world class youth and community facility all partners can be proud of."

Councillor Mitzi Green (Labour), Harrow Council's portfolio holder for children's services, said: "This is excellent news for people of all ages in Harrow Weald, but in particular, a huge boost for young people in the area.

"As well as delivering state-of-the-art sports facilities ahead of the London Olympics, this centre will offer space for arts, music and IT.

"There really will be something for everyone."

Paddy Lyne, chairwoman of Weald Residents' Association, said: "It's taken a long time but people are delighted that we now know where we are with the project.

"Hopefully they are going to control the disruption and we don't get the roads blocked and mud everywhere.

"We are worried about the traffic and parking as well, but there is going to be a management committee we've been asked to join.

"We'll be happy once the centre's up and running."

Cedars Youth Centre closed about three weeks ago and the trust's Kickz sessions were relocated to Hatch End High School in Headstone Lane, Harrow.