Bath's Southside Youth Centre is set to undergo a major revamp after the local council was successful in its bid for £2.3m funding from the Big Lottery Fund.

The project - part of the government's £270m Myplace initiative - aims to provide remodelled and improved facilities for young people in the local area. Bath and North East Somerset Council (BANES) now expects to start its search for a developer by the end of the month in order to allow work to get underway in the summer.

A community café, a music studio, an ICT suite and a number of sports facilities are planned as part of the revamp, which will see the centre enable young people to take part in activities such as boxing, martial arts and music. The facility will be accessible for young people with disabilities, with plans including a special sensory room to stimulate senses such as touch and sight. Health services will also be available.

BANES cabinet member for children's services Chris Watt said: "The upgraded facilities will help Bath and North East Somerset Council's youth service deliver even better provision to improve the life chances of young people and children. "The funding will also help the Council purchase two new mobile youth buses for use in rural areas where there is no fixed youth provision."