A PIONEERING booze-free nightclub for teenagers is to open in Burnley next week.

The Basement aims to provide a unique sanctuary for young people to keep them off the town centre streets and out of trouble.

The brainchild of Keith Richardson, minister at Central Methodist Church, the club has been developed by the young people themselves with the help of youth workers.

He said: "My wife and I decided to walk into Burnley one night because I didn't have any idea of what nightlife was like there. I realised this church was surrounded by clubs and there was space at the church doing nothing.

"I went to a police forum meeting where they said they were looking for a venue for such a facility. The project has been focused on the youngsters, because it's their nightclub and their ideas."

A core group of about 20 teenagers have been involved in designing the club and carrying out the refurbishment work, but about 50 have helped out.

As well as being a nightclub The Basement also has an internet cafe and pool and table tennis tables.

The initial funding to kick-start the project came from the Children's Fund, but money has also come from Burnley Council and Connexions.

It will be officially opened next Friday and to begin with will be open on Tuesdays and Thursday, from 7.15pm to 9.30pm. If further funding is found, the youth workers involved in the project hope to open it on either Friday or Saturday nights as well.

Youth worker Adrian Hays, who is managing The Basement, said the idea was also to help educate young people about issues, including drugs and alcohol.

He said: "We know that young people are accessing alcohol from a young age and that this is causing problems on the streets of Burnley. This project is an attempt to address some of those problems."

The project is looking for volunteers to help run the nightclub. Adrian can be contacted on 01282 839323.