Thousands of youngsters will be able to enjoy narrowboat holidays thanks to Young Bristol, the charity that runs city youth clubs.

A group of young people had the chance to look over the 12-berth narrowboat which was launched in Bristol Docks last night.

It will be used to take children and teenagers on holiday and will also be available to schools and other youth organisations.

Sam Perkins, 12, of Horfield, said: "It's really good. It's got bunk beds."

Alex Webber, 13, of Manor Farm was enthusiastic too. He said: "It's like a whole new building - it's even got toilets.

"It doesn't look you can fit much into it from the outside but it's actually like a building on water."

Joseph Petch, 14, of Southmead said he attends a Young Bristol club once a week where he enjoys sport including football, unihoc, tennis and pool.

He said: "I'm looking forward to going on a narrowboat holiday. It does sound good."

Joe James, 13, of Horfield, said: "I have been on boats before. It will be great to get away on holiday without mums and dads."

The launch of the narrowboat marked the end of a two-year challenge to raise £1 million which will be invested to help meet the annual running costs of Young Bristol's 16 youth clubs.

Young Bristol chairman Andrew Nisbet, 48, said: "£500,000 was given by a small group of very generous people who gave large donations in the first year.

"The money was given on the condition that we double it and we achieved our target two weeks ago."

Many people gave money or held fund raising events in aid of Young Bristol which is the lead organisation in plans to create a youth club in the former Avon Fire Station in Bridewell Street.

President of the charity Chris Patterson and his wife Sheila climbed Mount Kilimanjaro and raised £26,000 in the process.

Broadmead Manager John Hirst, 52, of Downend, who is a trustee of Young Bristol, also went to Africa to follow in their footsteps and raised a further £3,000.

Young Bristol supports a total of 39 youth clubs, some in the most deprived areas of Bristol, runs the Pooles Wharf activity centre.

It offers a wide range of activities from abseiling to archery and now narrowboat sailing has been added to the list.

Last year 4,500 young people, including teenage refugees, attended Young Bristol youth clubs.

The charity also offers work experience and volunteering placements and training.

Last year 4,500 young people, including teenage refugees, attended Young Bristol youth clubs.