PLANS for a £300,000 purpose-built youth and community centre are a step closer to reality today, despite attempts to veto the proposed site.

Last week, Caldicot town council blocked the suggested site - the former Day Luncheon Centre, which has been out of use for more than a year - saying it was designated for "community" use, rather than as a youth facility.

But at a meeting of the Caldicot Youth Club working group yesterday it was revealed that there was nothing to stop the building's use as a youth centre.

The youth club has already ruled out several sites in the town, including the West End co-op and the George V playing fields.

Now the club is keen to move on with plans to convert the Day Luncheon Centre into a multi-purpose youth and community centre.

It is submitting a report to the town council at the end of the month and applying for permission to get architects plans drawn up.

Chairman David Ashwin said: "We want to press on with all speed now. "Caldicot is a Cinderella town in many ways. Chepstow, Monmouth and Abergavenny all have youth provisions."

The mayor of Caldicot, Paul Tidmarsh, is pleased the project will now embrace a number of community groups.

He said: "There are a number of organisations in Caldicot which are homeless - this will bring them together under one roof."

Councillor Ashwin said: "It also widens our funding options to have a community centre not just a youth meeting place."

The next club meeting will be at 2.30pm on October 20 at the Chepstow cybercaf.