BURNHAM and Highbridge residents heard reports on key issues including policing, litter and youth facilities at the town council’s annual town meeting held on Thursday (April 19).

Residents and councillors gathered in the Princess Theatre and heard from a variety of speakers on various issues affecting the town.

Sgt Ryan Edwards spoke about policing and said he would do everything in his power to retain a police station in the town.

“Everyone wants Burnham to have a police presence by having a police station in the town. I live here and will be fighting to keep the station open,” he said.

Sgt Edwards also said the police had been working closely with King Alfred’s School to help tackle anti-social behaviour.

“We have been working hard to build bridges and have developed a good working relationship with King Alfred’s,” Sgt Edwards said.

Sally Jones and Rev Kelgon Black gave an informative and enthusiastic presentation about a new mobile youth centre which is set to launch on Friday (April 27).

Rev Black explained that the partnership had purchased an old bus that had been kitted out as a mobile youth centre which was sitting parked up at Bristol Airport.

“This project has been a long time in the making but the bus is now kitted out, we have funding for youth workers from the YMCA and Somerset Rural Youth Project who will operate the centre two nights a week,” Rev Black said.

“It will give youth service to provision to areas that currently get little coverage.”

Rev Black said £1,200 of funding is still needed as well as somewhere safe it can be parked to prevent vandalism.

Mayor of Burnham Cllr Bill Hancock said: “I think it is fantastic and I hope with all my heart you can make a success of it.”

The mobile youth centre will launch Friday, April 25 at 6.30pm in the Bank Street car park.