YOUNGSTERS have hit back against drug problems in their area and transformed an empty pub into a drop-in centre.

The Parent Action For the Community and Town group formed in April to tackle "severe issues" in the area. Its aim -- to get drug users off the streets.

Now six youngsters, who have helped renovate Cheethams Pub, in Lawrence Street, Blackburn, into a new self-help centre, have received awards for their hard work.

The awards, for Young Movers, were presented by Trafford Hall tenants resource centre in Chester after the team of volunteers followed a four-day course.

Their challenge was to put as much back into the community as possible and identify problems to tackle.

Backed by the Drugs Action Team and Bootstrap Enterprises of Blackburn with Darwen Council, and pub owners Mitchells of Lancaster, the volunteers redecorated the interior of the pub. The premises, worth £60,000, had been empty for three months before being rented out to the project.

Anne Marie Astley, one of the parents behind the PACT project, said the youngsters were "over the moon" with their awards.

"They have worked so hard to transform this pub and we are very proud of them all," she said. "They have been totally motivated and driven to create something to be proud of.

"Of course it was scary to set out on a project like this but they have kept us going and deserve the credit. People in the area trust us now because we are clearly from the area and on their side."

Director of Mitchells, Jonathan Barker, said: "We still own the pub but have arranged to rent it out. As a pub Cheethams had just run its course so we thought it was the perfect opportunity to put something back into the community.

"This working class area has a lot of problems with drugs and we wanted to do our bit to help. We are really pleased with the outcome."

PACT is hoping to provide a creche, advice centre and run specific courses at the centre when it officially opens on November 23.