POLICE and council officials are monitoring a controversial nightclub where a teenager was fatally assaulted after it re-opened as an under 18s disco.

But Angela Calvert, licensee of Churchills, Cannon Street, Accrington, today insisted parents had nothing to worry about and were free to inspect the premises for themselves.

Until last year the club charged £12 for admission with a free bar, but closed after a drop in trade following 18-year-old Gavin Tattersall's death.

Gavin, of Cambridge Drive, Padiham, died on May 27 three days after he was attacked at the club while celebrating a friend's 18th birthday. He had worked as a window cleaner in Blackburn with his step-father Shaun Mills.

Churchill's doorman Ian Britcliffe, 42, of John Street, Clayton-le-Moors, admitted assaulting Gavin and was sentenced to a two-year community rehabilitation order. His son Christopher Britcliffe, 21, of the same address, pleaded guilty to manslaughter and was sentenced to 30 months in prison.

The club continued to open for private functions but has now opened on Friday and Saturday evenings for under 18s.

PC Les Sholicar, licensing PC for Accrington police, said: "I'm in regular contact with Angela, who's doing her utmost to ensure people are searched for alcohol and drugs when they are going in.

"We've had a few telephone calls from concerned parents which we are looking into.

"It's nice to have things for that age group, but we have problems with 300 kids coming into town on a Friday and Saturday night. The situation is being assessed and it would be unfair to make a judgement yet."

Coun Jean Battle, acting leader of Hyndburn Council, said: "I appreciate the police may have some concerns and I fully understand why this is a sensitive issue. In general we welcome additional facilities for young people. We will monitor the situation."

The idea for under 18s evenings began when Ms Calvert's daughter Nicola had her 16th birthday disco at the club.

Around 200 teenagers attended the alcohol-free function and a second event at Christmas also proved popular.

Ms Calvert said: "A number of parents had heard of Churchills and lots rang me up with questions. They wanted to know if they were supervised and if they were checked for alcohol.

"We have a full door teamto search the kids for alcohol. We are giving them somewhere to go and are happy for parents to come and have a look around."

Ms Calvert says the venue is covered by an updated CCTV system.