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The first youth church for has opened in Leicestershire.

It's part of a number of ventures being funded by the Diocese of Leicester's £1.3m Young People for Life Scheme, and is built on a site you wouldn't usually relate to religion.

The youth church was built on the grounds of a former Thai massage parlour, but in its new form it hopes to attract younger people to the church.

Listen: First Youth Church

BBC Leicester's Julie Mayer headed out to Shepshed, to visit the youth church that was once known as the local Thai massage parlour...

Julie's in the centre of Shepshed - on the corner of Charnwood Road. On the outside the building looks like a shop front, but inside it's been renovated.

Robin Rolls, the countries first Director of Youth Ministry, has made a few changes to the building.

"When we first arrived the building was in a bit of a state. We needed to make some changes to make it safe...

"We needed to make it light, airy, accessible and somewhere people would want to be. We've done a lot to kit it out and it looks amazing!

"We've got counselling rooms, IT equipment, pool tables and open space for events."

Robin believes the youth church is more than a youth club. "It's a bit more edgy, a bit more exciting and a bit more real."

"The scheme is an investment aimed to connect with young people with Christian faith across the city and the county.

"We live in a changing time and in a changing world. We have to be a bit more edgy, creative and inventive.

"And this is about the church and the Christian faith coming to young people.

"Every weekend the youth church is full of young people and we work with schools during the week.

"All the time our passion is to re-connect with young people at a significant level."

The youth church has not only attracted church goers, but also children and teenagers who have rarely been to a church - even though the Christian organisation has been open about what they aim to achieve.