A Gay drop in centre will open in Chippenham this week at an undisclosed location in the town centre.

It will provide gay literature, health information and a social life for some of the estimated 6,000 gays who feel isolated in North Wiltshire.

Organisers deny that the location is being kept secret for fear of attacks, but insist discretion is part of its commitment to provide users with a safe environment.

The manager of Wiltshire and Swindon's Gay Men's Health, Gary Jefferson, who set up the centre, said: "Our research shows that if we advertise the venue it puts people off who are shy because they are afraid people will see them go in or that gangs of youths will gather around outside.

"Of course there will be people who lack understanding and because of personal fears will be homophobic. I think that's a general problem, but we do know we have had a number of incidents in Chippenham.

"I think most people couldn't been bothered to cause any problems. But if we were to advertise publicly, a group of youths may read about us and curiosity could get the better of them."

The centre was set up in response to demand from gay people living in the district who had nowhere to go.

The Wiltshire Crime and Disorder Partnership has given the scheme a £1,600 grant to help the group hire a room for its monthly meetings.

Mr Jefferson said if the drop in centre, which will be operated by a member of Gay Men's Health, proves a hit in its first year it will open on a more frequent basis.

"What we often find is that the catchment area could be as far away as Swindon because we find a lot of people don't like going to these kind of meetings in their own town," he said.

"We find a lot of people who attend are very socially isolated, especially those who are trying to find out what sexual orientation they are."

The scheme has already proved a success in Trowbridge, where a gay drop in centre, the first in the county, was set up five years ago.

More than 700 people, from a range of backgrounds, including professionals to farmers, and ages, ranging from teenagers to pensioners, have attended the Trowbridge centre.

The Chippenham group held the first of its monthly meetings on Tuesday evening. Anyone interested in attending in future should ring Mr Jefferson on 07970 473962.