Lessons for budding disc jockeys and the chance to surf the Internet attracted dozens of young people to a Burley-in-Wharfedale church at the weekend.

Around 50 people in total visited the Methodist Church in Main Street to try their hand at everything from spinning records to clay modelling, dance or drama.

A series of unusual workshops had been laid on for the day to encourage people to visit the church's new Cyber Caf, which opens properly today in its regular

Thursday afternoon and evening slot.

The EXPLORE event was free to children from school Year 6 upwards, who were also able to try out the caf's online computers.

Stocked with a television, video and games systems as well as a food and drinks area, the Cyber Caf is intended at filling a gap in the village's facilities for young people.

Burley has been without a dedicated youth centre ever since the one in Sun Lane closed down, although moves are afoot to house a new one in a redeveloped Queen's Hall.

The open day was organised by the Otley and Aireborough Methodist Circuit's youth development worker, Kate Beck, who has also been the driving force behind the caf.

Burley Methodist Church Deacon Gwynneth Gostling, who helped out on Saturday, applauded Ms Beck's achievement. She said: "I was there in the morning and the consensus was certainly that we were very pleased with it.

"There were a good number of young people who came along in the morning and stayed into the afternoon. It was a very enjoyable day and there was a wonderful atmosphere - the kids' faces were alive because they were wanting to try out all the things on offer.

"Kate had arranged some very interesting workshops for them to try, including some quite different things like DJ-ing, and they all seemed to be really enjoying themselves.

"Now the cyber caf will be a regular, Thursday night thing and the hope is to keep it going and to reach people outside the church, as part of our outreach to the community we live in.

"There's not a lot for young people to do in Burley just now so this was an area where we identified a need and have tried to do something to address it."

The only downside to a successful launch was the late cancellation of a skateboarding demonstration, which would have seen skaters trying out stunts on ramps in the church car park.

l The Cyber Caf will now be open each Thursday from 3.30pm to 5pm, for Year 6 to Year 8 age children, and from 7.30pm to 9.30pm for Years 8 to 11.