A REVOLUTIONARY health centre focusing on the needs of young people is to open in Bolton.

The Parallel centre is among the first of its kind in the country and aims to cater for 11 to 20-year-olds.

A team of experts will be on hand to deal with a wide range of teenage problems.

These include sexual difficulties -- with advice about pregnancy and contraception -- abuse, bullying and emotional insecurities, as well as more general medical problems.

The project is unusual because its organisers have worked with teenagers on every aspect of the scheme, from the architectural blueprint, the colour scheme, the carpet and even the choice of staff.

And the centre's name, logo and advertising campaign have all had input from young people, in the hope of encouraging them to use the service.

Organisers hope that the centre will open in May.

Parallel centre manager Sandra Smethurst said: "We have consulted and listened to hundreds of young people in Bolton and with their input we aim to offer a wide variety of services to support young people in issues around both emotional and physical health." She added: "It will be a safe place for young people to receive confidential, non-judgemental services in an environment where they feel valued and listened to."

Centre staff are hoping that the youth input will make teenagers feel more confident about taking up the advice on offer.

They hope that youngsters will not be daunted or put off from entering, as they believe has been the case with some GP surgeries.

Mrs Smethurst said: "We eventually intend to offer an all-inclusive approach to the well being of young people and hopefully provide a service they will be happy to use."