STREET dance lessons, gym work-outs and a football tournament were some of the activities enjoyed by teenagers at a Youth Work Week event in Limehouse last Friday.

Mayor of Tower Hamlets Lutfur Rahman also made a visit to the Limehouse Youth Centre in Limehouse Causeway to talk to visitors and was shown around the centre’s facilities including a newly refurbished gym.

It was reopened on November 5 after Westminster company Moorhouse Consulting raised �5000 to upgrade its gym equipment by doing a sponsored pedalo ride.

Mayor Rahman said: “These services and facilities help prepare our youngsters for the adult world, by giving them the confidence and skills to achieve their full potential.

“Investing in young people now will help set them on the right track for later life.”

Visitors also took part in a futsal tournament, a South American version of football played indoors and on smaller surfaces.

Tower Hamlet’s council’s Youth and Connexion services put on events at youth projects throughout the borough last week.

The Eastside Youth Project in Parnell Road, Bow, St Andrew’s Wharf Youth Project in George Green’s School in Milwall and The Village Club in Bishop Challoner School in Stepney all opened their doors for public tours last week.

Mary Durkin, the council’s head for youth and community learning, said: “Young people in Tower Hamlets have some of the best opportunities available to them so there’s no excuse for boredom.”

A council spokeswoman said older people had also been encouraged to visit youth centres to see what services are available.

The Youth and Connexions service runs 40 projects in Tower Hamlets each year offering activities from table tennis to camping trips to 9,500 teenagers.

It also funds local groups to offer specialist activities and holiday programmes.

Youth Work Week is organised by the National Youth Agency.