YOUNGSTERS in Avenham are keeping off the streets thanks to a specially designed youth centre.

The Hub, Albyn Bank Road, is a trendy state-of-the-art hang-out, with curved metal walls, a fish tank on a pedestal, pool tables and a lounge area with a television, donated by Lancashire Constabulary.

It has computers for children to catch up on their homework and students from the University of Central Lancashire regularly attend to give guitar lessons.

Now the project, which has been funded from various bodies including Sport England and the Youth Justice Board, has even got the Home Secretary interested!

Amanda Wrigley, a youth programme manager for Preston at Groundwork Trust, said the Hub follows a survey of more than 200 youngsters aged 11-16, which found only one per cent said they had invited a friend to their home in the last month. Amanda said: "This is a place for young people to socialise, learn and develop their skills. It is an amazing environment which they respect and it keeps them off the streets.

"We have different projects going on all the time, from gardening to go-carting. Young people just need the chance to show what they are good at and there aren't many places around like this.

"Home Secretary David Blunkett wrote to me apologising that he couldn't visit it himself, but said he would be asking staff from the Home Office to have a look around. I think they were impressed with the idea and it will help to cut crime."

The Hub was designed by Sarah Newton, an architecture student at Salford University, who asked youngsters for their ideas in order to create a homely environment.