A WEALTH of free entertainment is on offer for youngsters every Thursday evening in Leigh.

The Message Bus returned to Spinning Gate Car Park, next to the LEIGHway building, last week, for the first time since the start of the summer holidays – and it is bigger and better.

The mobile youth zone, for children aged from 10-16, includes attractions such as a climbing wall, a nail bar, a chill out zone and a space to perform karaoke and play video games.

On the car park an inflatable football pitch is set up on the night and inside LEIGHway children are able to play games and do crafts. A tuck shop is also in place.

Leigh Journal: Leigh Journal: Leigh Journal: Leigh Journal:

READ > Meet the former Leigh college student who was presented with lifetime award by Oprah

The scheme is supported by churches in the town, Wigan Council, the Wigan Borough Community Partnership and has received funding from the National Lottery.

Vicar of Christ Church Pennington, Reverend Alan Saunders, said: “After the bus was such a success from Easter to July we decided we would bring it back again. More than 90 young people were there last week from different schools and areas.

“There is a great range of activities and they really enjoyed it. The event is about overcoming barriers and building a sense of community among young people.”

The bus is stationed at the site between 7pm and 8.30pm and will be there until December 19.