PARENTS worried about their teenagers drinking alcohol and taking drugs have been urged to take them to a Farnworth bar . . .

Zac's Bar, in Market Street, bans not only drugs, but alcohol too.

And its bosses says it offers a safe environment for youngsters in the evening away from the dangers posed by both substances.

Rules

Jackie Musesoglu, who runs the bar, was speaking after the BEN revealed that four children a week are admitted to hospital in Bolton after drinking themselves unconscious.

Jackie said the bar, which opened last year, still attracted around 40 children on average on Friday and Saturday nights, despite its strict rules.

She said: "I want people to know there is a place in Farnworth where young people can go and enjoy themselves without having a drink.

"We have youth workers out on the front door who check whether the children have been drinking or taking drugs before they enter.

"If they have then they are not allowed in. But it is surprising how often you see the same faces the night after and they are really keen to say how they haven't been drinking and can they come in?"

She added: "Hopefully we are getting through to them and persuading them that you can have a good time without drinking or taking drugs.

"As a parent myself I know where I would be happier for my children to be. And they do enjoy it when they are here."

The bar, which was set up by the Sycamore Project charity, is run by a group of local churches.

It operates as a cafe during the day with a baby changing area, toilets and a parent and toddlers group.

This funds its main purpose - a youth club on Friday and Saturday evenings.

Jackie added: "Where a lot of youth clubs go wrong is they don't give children anything to do that they find interesting.

"We don't offer alcohol or anything like that but we do have bands playing, discos and other attractions like Playstation and Dreamcast.

"We have had 130 children in here at the past, and we average 40 on most nights."