A new support centre for ethnic minorities opened in Yuen Long today to help these people integrate into the community.

It will offer English- and Cantonese-language programmes, computer classes, tutorials, orientation programmes, interest classes and counselling.

Other services to enhance their access to public services include sight translation, family support services, socialisation programmes and community tours.

The centre is in Manhattan Plaza, Sai Ching Street. It operates six days a week, 9am to 9pm, Tuesdays to Sundays, except public holidays.

It is operated by the Yuen Long Town Hall Management Committee and is the second of the four centres operated under the Constitutional & Mainland Affairs Bureau's funding grant.

The first one operated by the International Social Service Hong Kong Branch started operation last month. The Hong Kong Christian Service and Christian Action will open the remaining two centres in the coming months.

The four centres have been given up to $8 million as one-off start-up costs and up to $16 million annually as operating expenses for two years.