A CORNER of old-time New Orleans has opened up in Chippenham.

Peter Beckenham, a director of the town's Budds nightclub, so fell in love with the famous American city he decided to bring it home with him.

Now the former design draftsman has conjured up the home of jazz and absinthe bars in the bar beneath Buds, just off Station Hill.

Bourbon Street, complete with cobbles, lamp posts, bars, and a cafe with an awning, has been recreated.

"I'm a jazz devotee, and when I visited Bourbon Street two years ago, I fell in love with it," he said.

The themed bars are modelled on Preservation Hall, Fat Tuesday's Bar, Pat O'Brien's Irish bar and the Cafe du Monde.

On the other side of the street is a steam boat mural and the River Walk dance floor.

The ambitious project has cost the club £140,000 but Mr Beckenham is confident the effort was worthwhile.

"We had to refurbish anyway and now it looks fantastic," he said.

"It's a totally new concept. Everyone who's seen it has been very impressed."

Bourbon Street will host live big band jazz on November 3 and 23, with a comedy club on November 2, 16 and 30.