A NEW nightclub for youngsters aged 11to 16 is to open in Newton Aycliffe..

The Meltdown nightspot will be based in Newton Aycliffe Leisure Centre and will play house music, R 'n' B, hip hop and dance. A bar will sell non-alcoholic drinks.

The idea for the club, supported by Sedgefield Borough Council, came initially from part-time sports instructor Neil Lythe, who got together with colleagues Shaun Whittaker and Terry Anderson to come up with the plan.

Mr Lythe said: "I've been talking to a lot of young people who come into the leisure centre and they're totally up for it. They keep asking me when it's going to start."

Coun Bob Fleming said he hoped the club would complement the existing drop-in centre in the leisure centre.

He said: "My initial reaction is that this is an interesting development for the younger people of the town and if this is what they're looking for I would support it.

"It's going to be attractive for them and, providing it won't cause a disturbance to other users, it would seem to be a going concern."

The Meltdown will be launched on Saturday, November 30, and will be open from 7pm to 9.30pm.

Tickets are £3 and are now on sale at the leisure centre reception. Launch night includes a free 'glo stick' and the first drink is free.

A Christmas special will follow on Saturday, December 21, and those at the launch night will get first refusal on tickets, also priced £3.

The Meltdown will continue in the New Year once a month on a Friday night.

Further details are available from www.sedgefield.gov.uk/themeltdown.