PREPARATIONS are well in hand for the first Penarth Youth Festival, which takes place next month.

The event will be opened at the Paget Rooms on February 10.

Plans for the festival, which will take place in the town on the weekend of February 10 to February 12, are now being finalised.

And the working group of representatives of the Town Council, the Penarth Info Shop and Vale of Glamorgan Youth Service are delighted by their progress.

Penarth town councillor Kate Jones said: "The town council wants to do something for the young people of Penarth.

"This festival is testament to that commitment, and I promise it's only the start of a rolling programme of events that we hope to put on in the future.

"We are all very excited about the weekend's events and hope that the festival will be enjoyed by all those who attend.

"On behalf of the town council, I would like to thank my colleagues on the working group for all their hard work on this event and all the clubs and organisations who are contributing."

Lisa Nelmes of the Penarth Info Shop said: "A lot of hard work has gone into this event from the Vale Youth Service, the town council and the Penarth Info Shop, with the help of the young people.

"I think the youth weekend is going to be an excellent weekend, jam packed with fun things for young people to take part in.

"If the event is successful as a partnership, we will look to hold regular events for young people. I look forward to seeing you all there."

The combination of the three organisations that have been planning the event has been a great success, and Lizz Shaw of the Vale of Glamorgan Youth Service said: "The youth weekend will be great!

* The Festival will start at 4pm on Friday, February 10, at the Paget Rooms, with the official opening by the Town Mayor, Councillor Charles Curran.

* Then from 4.15pm to 7pm there will be an exhibition of activities available to 11-17-year-olds in and around Penarth.

Some of the exhibitors on the Friday will be providing free of charge an opportunity for those interested to have a trial session of their activity on the Sunday.

* Throughout the evening there will be live entertainment and displays plus a fairtrade stall providing refreshments, organised and run by pupils of St Cyres Comprehensive School. There will also be a smoothie bar run by North meets South and free fruit, bottled water and goody bags.

* On Saturday, February 11, from noon to 4pm, there will be a Careers Fair at the Kymin. In the Kymin grounds the Army have agreed to bring an obstacle course and a paintball tent plus other military attractions.

* For those who prefer the warmth of indoor activities in Kymin House, Barry College (Health & Beauty), Careers Wales, Vale Voluntary Bureau, Community Music Wales, Vale of Glamorgan Council, CLIC, Cardiff University, Barclays Bank, the Princes Trust, South Wales Police, South Wales Fire & Rescue Service and Tesco have all agreed to provide exhibitions, displays and information. There will be live music and refreshments.

* On Saturday evening from 7pm to 10pm it"s back to the Paget Rooms where the Vibe have agreed to stage an event that will be the social highlight of the weekend.

* There will be a mix of activities that evening including a Big Brother Diary Room. To provide an air of sophistication and to continue with the healthy eating approach to the weekend there will be non alcoholic cocktails on sale provided by the Salvation Army. There will be a £3 entrance fee for the Saturday night and as numbers will be limited it will be first come first served.

* On Sunday, February 12, there will be opportunities to sample free-of-charge workshops and sessions provided by various local groups and these will take place at various locations throughout the town. The activities will include arts and craft, football, drama, song and dance, chess, bowling, rambling and youth groups.

Full details are now available in the free Youth Festival Brochure that is available via schools, the Penarth Youth Information Shop, the town council offices and various outlets in the town.

If you require information contact Shan Bowden, at the town council offices on 029 2070 0721 or call into the Youth Information Shop Mondays and Tuesdays between 3pm and 9pm, Thursdays between 3pm and 5pm or Fridays between 3pm and 7pm.