A woman who grew up in Congresbury is returning to the village to help run the youth group.

Sam Perry has been appointed as a part-time youth worker at the Congresbury Youth Partnership. The post has been funded by Congresbury Parish Council to meet the rising demand for young people's activities in the village.

Sam, aged 25, who used to attend the village infant and juniors schools as a child, also works as a play leader at Roundabouts Pre School in Clevedon, and, in the past, has been a volunteer for the youth partnership.

The partnership launched in February 2002, and over the years has gradually increased its work in the village. It runs the popular Cybercafe, based at St Andrew's Church, which attracts more than 40 young people every week.

It also organises the annual summer playscheme which, last year, welcomed more than 100 young people through its doors. More recently it has set up a Saturday morning club for youngsters.

Sam, who now lives in Locking Castle, Weston-super-Mare, said: "I grew up in Congresbury and am aware of the difficulties of providing activities for young people in a rural community.

"Building on the work started by my predecessors, I will be looking at the provision of sport in the village, as well as what young people want.

"After talking to the young people I will be putting together a programme of activities for the future as well as assisting the summer playscheme."

Youth Partnership spokesman, Ian Sheppard, said: "We will be working with her to put on a range of additional after school and holiday time activities as well as developing the Cybercafe and summer playscheme.

"She will work with North Somerset Youth Service, which run the youth club, and the church's children and youth workers.

"This is a significant step forward for youth work in the village and we are grateful to the parish council for working with us."

Congresbury Parish Council said it had always aimed to provide more youth services in the village.

Parish council chairman, Councillor Pete Sewell, said: "One of the declared aims of this parish council is to support youth activities and groups.

"Congresbury of the future is in the hands of the youth today and it is with youth workers like Sam and the youth partnership leading them, that the village will be able to maintain its reputation for having the best community spirit in the area."