PLANS for the country's first teenage pub have taken a step closer to completion after the group behind the scheme became one of the latest to receive a Lottery grant.

Teenage Pubs Ltd, based in Preston, received £4,800 from the National Lottery Charities Board's poverty and disadvantage and community involvement programme, to help it fund a feasibility study into plans for the 'pubs'.

It is hoped a string of the pubs can be opened around the county, providing a safe place for youngsters to meet. Only soft drinks will be served.

It is hoped the scheme will help keep youngsters off the streets and out of trouble.

Andrew Harris, the brains behind the scheme, said: "We already have a good idea of what teenagers want in these places, but now we need to find a location.

"The money will be spent looking at various locations in the area and the feasibility study should help us to find the most suitable site.

"We will also produce publicity material."

The scheme has already received support from South Ribble Borough Council, which has included the concept in its anti-crime strategy as a way of reducing juvenile nuisance.

Other groups have also received grants. The Preston Supported Housing Project - which helps disabled people live independently - received £148,369, while a project to repair and improve Samlesbury Hall's Memorial Hall has won £15,965.

And Preston Community Transport has won £32,572 to help establish a new mobility centre in the town.

Converted for the new archive on 14 July 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.