A PUBLICAN is helping to keep youngsters off the streets of a troubled estate by inviting them into his bar.

When Wayne Heal took over as manager of The Grove, on Middlesbrough's Easterside Estate, he made up his mind to play a full part in the community.

Having seen gangs of youths loitering around shops and intimidating residents, he invited them into the pub to play pool.

Now he has a regular group of ten to 16 year-olds queuing to get in every day.

Mr Heal, 29, said: "There's nothing for the children to do, so over the Christmas holidays, I have set them team challenges, and we are going to try to create a children's pool league.

"After that, I am thinking of setting up football teams."

The pool area used by the young people is set apart from the rest of the pub, and strict rules over behaviour are enforced.

If the scheme continues to prove successful, Mr Heal is thinking of introducing a tuck shop where they will be able to buy soft drinks and snacks.

He said the difference it was making to the area was already evident.

"When I first came here, you could see gangs of kids hanging around and causing problems, but now my customers are coming in and saying you can tell they are here because they are not at the shops," he said.

"The kids on the estate have got a bad name, but they are good kids."

June Goodchild, chairman of the local community council, said: "I think it's great. The pub atmosphere is wonderful."