A church is set to become a hub for community groups after a youth centre's closure.

Primley United Reformed Church in Sidmouth will offer its space to various groups after the council-run youth centre in Manstone Road was closed at the end of September, due to being deemed "not fit for purpose".

The youth club has relocated to the YMCA in Sidmouth, but other regular users of the now-closed youth centre, such as Sidmouth Food Bank, the Salvation Army-run drop-in café, mums and toddlers groups, the Citizens Advice Bureau, and Resilience (financial advice), have been seeking alternative accommodation.

During an April church meeting, it was decided to offer the actual space within the church itself to these groups.

Over the summer, the church hall, already used by many groups, changed to accommodate the newcomers.

Large storage cupboards have been constructed at the back of the church for the food bank, while the church library books were sorted out, with many being donated to The Mustard Seed café’s second-hand section.

The kitchen storage space, store cupboards, and an activity room were all reorganised to create additional storage space.

Some larger children's activity toys were given to St Peter’s and St Francis churches for their playgroups.

Wi-Fi is also being installed.

Reverend Aiyana Gardner-Houghton, the United Reformed Church transition minister for Devon and Cornwall, has been significantly involved in the developments.

She is part of a newly formed collective of United Reformed Church, Salvation Army, and Methodist congregations in Sidmouth, which explores and implements new ways of "doing church".

"Bread Church," previously located at the Stowford Community Centre, has also moved to Primley Church and now takes place in the church hall on the second and fourth Sunday mornings of each month.

The church hopes to be a welcoming community church hub during the week while continuing its usual Sunday services.