GARAGE music stars of the future could be learning their trade on a Preston estate -- thanks to a scheme that sells drug dealers' assets.

Money raised from the sale of assets is being channelled into a special fund, which goes back into helping communities battle the drug problem.

Now youngsters on the Brookfield Estate are using the fund to take part in a special DJ course to keep them away from drugs.

After the three-month course they'll be using state-of-the-art recording equipment to make their own music and performing live in a Preston nightclub.

Chris Davis, a community development worker based at the Brookfield Space Place, said: "The funding is through the Communities Against Drugs scheme. It's mainly from the Home Office.

"It's from when drug dealers get caught and their assets are seized. It's a project to get alternative activities for young people."

The youngsters will be put through their paces by local garage 'crew', DoubleDarker. The group are taking time off from wowing the crowds on the local music scene to pass on their skills.

Once the youths, all local and aged 16-plus, have completed the course, they will be given the chance to use the Space Place's recording studio.

Chris said: "Most of DoubleDarker live locally. They run the course and it's teaching young people to DJ, mix, scratch and also MC.

"There's personal development as well.

"People go on a 12-week course and then they have a showcase of skills they've learned. They gig locally and they're also doing a gig at a local club -- Solid.

"Then they can use a studio we have got here at the Space Place to create dance music. But they're only allowed to use it when they have learned how to, so they know how to look after it.

"It's the first course we have run. We've got about 45 people on the list who are interested in doing it. The first lot are all over 16-years-old, but the next lot are below that.

"In the future we are hoping to connect with local schools."