CALNE'S new drop-in centre has proved a hit with youngsters, who are policing the venue themselves.

Calne town councillor Mercy Baggs says she has nothing but admiration and respect for the teenagers, who are doing everything they can to ensure the facility remains a pleasant place to be.

When it opened earlier this month, after years of campaigning, Coun Baggs said it would be closed at the first sign of drugs or alcohol.

But when a youngster wondered in with a can of lager last week, one of the others told him to go away because it was against the rules.

Other youngsters have also been heard to reprimand their peers for using bad language at the centre.

"It is going extremely well and we have on average 30 youngsters in there every night," said Coun Baggs. "There hasn't been any trouble and they are policing it themselves, as I said they would."

Most of the young people, aged from 11 to 18, come in to sit and chat or play their music.

A television set was also recently donated by a member of the public.

The young people have been coming up with ideas for names for the centre, which is a former shop in Wood Street.

Eventually a competition will be run to decide on the final one.

It is open from 7-10pm on Thursday, Friday and Saturday nights.

It still needs more volunteer helpers and anyone who can help should contact Coun Baggs on (01249) 812128.