AN Australian theme bar is set to welcome the Sheilas and Bruces of Burnley when it opens its doors for the first time next month.

The spirit of the Gold Coast is set to make a kangaroo leap into East Lancashire after the pub was given the go-ahead by planning officials.

Fast-growing national pubs group Regent Inns is opening the Walkabout Bar in the town's hotspot of Hammerton Street.

Regent Inns have bought the empty buildings from 10 to 14 Hammerton Street, Burnley.

There are 35 Walkabout bars operating across the UK, including Liverpool, Lancaster, Wigan and Manchester, with one set to open in Blackpool next week. The company has plans for further expansion.

Secretary of Burnley Chamber of Trade Rita Walsh welcomed the new pub.

She said: "It is great to see new businesses coming into the town.

"It is helping to regenerate parts of Burnley which need something like this.

"The only reservation I do have is that we have got to look out for existing businesses and be careful not to drive them out with too many new developments.

"But it is brilliant and I wish them every success."

All pubs have Australian-style food, including kangaroo and crocodile steaks and a variety of Australian beers.

Regent Inns say they will be operating the pub on two floors and that the Burnley development will create 50 new full-time and part-time jobs.

A spokesman said: "Walkabout offers a unique atmosphere that will not be found anywhere else in the town.

"It has a great menu for people wanting to try something a bit different or for people wanting to go for the more traditional pub food."

Hammerton Street already contains the town's main nightspot, the combined Works and Chicago Rock.

The London-based company will be opening the Australian theme bar to the public on October 24.