TEENAGERS at a youth centre are looking forward to beating each other at ping-pong when they get a new table tennis table.

Cash to buy the new table at the Woodlands Youth Centre, in Woodlands Road, Gillingham, has been made available from a police property fund.

Neighbourhood PC Alex Bain visited the centre to present a cheque for £250 to staff.

PC Bain said: “The centre plays an important role in the community and I was delighted to hand them the cheque."

“By offering young people something positive to channel their energies into we can get them off the streets and into an environment where they can feel safe, make friends and have fun.”

Sharon McCauley, Woodlands youth manager said: “I cannot praise Alex enough for everything he’s done.

He has been supportive to us and really made a difference. He has built up an excellent relationship with the young people at the centre and is always there when we need help.

“I feel it’s important for young people to see the police as more than just a uniform and our neighbourhood officers have been successful in doing that.

“By allowing their first experience with the police to be a positive one it can really make a difference to their lives.”

* The police property fund is made up from the sale of items which have come into police possession, either as unclaimed or lost property. This may also be property which has been the subject of a crime and when it has not been possible to trace the rightful owners.