A GROUP of Barnoldswick youths spent a day repairing and cleaning up a run-down bus shelter in a pioneering project.

And in return, the teenagers have been rewarded with their own room in a nearby pub where they can meet without annoying nearby residents or attracting complaints The idea for the scheme came after Barnoldswick Town Council chairman, Jenny Purcell, met with youths through her work as a police volunteer.

Coun Purcell, who has highlighted problems with graffiti, litter, drinking and drug-taking around the bus stop on Gisburn Road in the past, thought that getting young people to take pride in their environment would be the best way to address some of the problems.

And, to give the youths somewhere to go, she reached an agreement with Fosters Arms landlady, Elaine Edworthy, to let them use a room in the pub as a meeting place on Tuesdays, with soft drinks and snacks on offer. As a result, the group of around 10 youngsters - dubbed Fosters Drop-In or FDI - spent a day cleaning, repairing and re-painting the bus shelter in their own time.

They also cleared the surrounding area and car park of litter and were helped in their efforts by staff from Pendle Borough Council's cleansing department who brought along graffiti-removal and sandblasting equipment.

Jordan Clayton, 14, who was given a town award last year for his voluntary work with Barnoldswick's town warden, said the FDI project was great news for youths in the area.

He said: "It all started after Jenny Purcell came down in a police car and started talking to the kids about it.

"We're working on the shelter to get the room in the Fosters as a sort of youth club so we're not hanging around on the streets, but it's good fun doing all these projects."

Coun Purcell said the next step for the FDI was to apply for a grant to get a pool table.

"The landlady at the Fosters totally agrees that they need somewhere to go. They want to have their own space and youth clubs are like school. When they get to 14 or 15 they're more like adults."

She added: "While we've been standing here this morning people have been patronising about it, saying what's the point? But you can't be like that. You need to give them encouragement. They're giving something back to the town and the community."

Coun Purcell said the clean-up had been made possible thanks to help from local teachers, including Stephen Jones from West Craven High Technology College and the cleansing department at Pendle Council.

Anyone wanting to join the FDI will have to be vetted by existing members. Contact details for the group will be appearing on posters in the area soon.