A youth centre is set to benefit from the opening of a new store.

Following the Tesco Express "search for a local hero" competition, Joanna Broad, from Worthing, was chosen in recognition of the help she has given to the community and children of East Worthing.

Joanna will attend a special opening ceremony at the new Tesco Express store in Findon Road, cutting the ribbon to declare the shop officially open at 10.30am on Monday.

As part of the ceremony, store manager Lisa Sutton will present a cheque for £500 to the Stray Cats Youth Centre, which Joanna runs.

Ms Sutton said: "As soon as we read the letter nominating Joanna we knew we had found our local hero.

"Not only did she set up and now successfully runs the youth centre, she also runs a summer play scheme, organises a yearly carnival float and numerous other community projects.

"We are delighted that she has found time in her busy schedule to come along and open the store."

Joanna set up Stray Cats seven years ago to combat the number of nuisance crimes the community was suffering, many caused by young people with nowhere to go.

Children were actively involved from the start, including decorating the premises of the centre. After the first year, nuisance crimes had dropped by 90 per cent.

The centre is now in new premises, twice the size of the initial ones, and has 180 members who attend three evenings a week.

Ms Broad said: "Throughout the school holidays we will be holding special events for young people, from barbecues to horse riding, sailing and canoeing.

"It is thanks to the backing and generosity of the local community, the rest of the volunteers and people such as those at Tesco that these activities can take place."