A FORMER policeman and a man who says he was "a bit of a troublemaker" have joined together in a bid to launch a new community and youth hub.

Danee Stanford and Tony Francis are hoping to open the new centre at the Kingsway Hall in Dovercourt later this month.

While their main aim is to help young people, particularly by stopping them from falling into trouble with the law, they also want to provide a place for other community needs.

It comes after ongoing issues with youngsters in the town, behaving badly and causing trouble.

Danee, from Ingestre Street in Harwich, said: "It's about community spirit as much as anything else, if we can pull our community together.

"I think there is a big call for it.

"I think it would be for ages 12 upwards really and have a homework area and pool table, even just somewhere for them to go.

"We've had a good response to the idea.

"It could even be a place for people to see police and talk to them so we could try to remove that barrier with police."

The 42-year-old said it was having a grandchild on the way that made him really want to help steer the town's youth in the right direction.

He added: "I was a bit of a troublemaker in my youth but I think it can only benefit really.

"I've seen some bad things in life, I've never been in prison but I have a colourful record, and want to keep children away from that.

"I want to give something back to the community and help youngsters who are going through what I was going through.

"I just think some community spirit is what we need."

The hub will be run by volunteers with a variety of activities and community services hoped to be on offer.

Danee added: "We aren't sure on the days yet but it will probably be a Thursday or Friday when the trouble normally starts."