A TORFAEN £2.73 million community centre which opened last year has attracted more than 300 people to use it, its manager says.

The Life Station, at Folly Road, Trevethin, was opened in April last year with the aim of improving the health and education of the local community and to provide a venue for community activities.

Run by Torfaen Adult and Community Learning, courses at the centre then started in September.

The centre is funded by the Assembly through the Physical Regeneration Fund, Heads of the Valleys fund and Torfaen Council.

Between September and December last year, the centre attracted 346 people onto its books and ran 35 courses ranging from maths, English and Welsh to cookery and even keeping chickens.

On top of this, the Life Station also offers community facilities including a café and baby clinic. People are also invited to hire rooms and facilities at the centre.

Centre manager, Linda Brown said: "I am pleased with how the centre has taken off so far. I now want to ensure that more local residents are aware of the facilities that the centre has to offer.

"We aim to offer opportunities to increase people’s skills and improve their health and well-being. Anyone is welcome to drop in and take a look around."

One regular user of the centre is Elizabeth Day, 24, of Uplands Drive, who studies photography, Welsh and maths.

Ms Day also makes use of the crèche twice a week where staff care for her one-year-old daughter Alana.

Ms Day said: "I want to become a photographer and it is great having something like this on my doorstep.

"The tutors are great and there is so much on offer for people to do. Alana loves the crèche too."

For more information on the centre, drop in or call 01495 742910.