A "VIBRANT" community hub and one stop shop is set to be created in Harwich.

Community Voluntary Services Tendring hopes to bring services to the town by next summer as part of a scheme to expand its facilities funded by a lottery grant.

The charity, which has been running in the district for more than 40 years, has applied for change of use permission for the current Baldwins shop in Kingsway, Dovercourt.

If granted, it could become the charities new base for community activities in the town.

Sharon Alexander, chief officer, said: "We got a lottery grant to deliver services in coastal towns, which we have done in phases.

"We have a base in Clacton, we went to Jaywick and to Walton and next year we are going to Harwich.

"We want to have a base there - we have been looking at shops because we want something central."

As part of the application sent to Tendring Council, the charity said: "There will be sessions to enable residents to live healthier and more independent lives by providing training, counselling, information guidance, group sessions, drop-ins, volunteer opportunities, pathways to employment, and to create a facility to enhance the co-ordination of voluntary organisations."

A range of activities hoped to run from the Dovercourt base including volunteer opportunities, befriending and bereavement support, counselling services, self-help groups and IT support to increase skills, confidence and employability.