Partygoers urged to get some 'R and R'

PARTYGOERS are being urged to get some 'R and R' as part of a unique service in Burnley town centre.

The Rest and Retreat Centre, Hammerton Street, helps people who are lost, have suffered an injury or need somewhere to sober up.

It is open on Friday and Saturday nights - the busiest times in the town - and is staffed by a police officer and health care staff who work alongside the Street Pastors.

The centre, which costs £16k a year to run, has saved the ambulance service over £130,000 since it was set up in 2007. During the day, it operates as an information point for different groups of people and at night it becomes a safe haven for late night revellers in the town.

This Friday, members of Burnley Community Safety Partnership will be outside the Red Lion, St James Street, handing out wristbands and leaflets in a bid to raise awareness of the centre.

Sgt Claire Pearson: "This is a fantastic service which is available for everyone using the town both in the day and at night time.

"We know that members of staff working at centre have already been responsible for saving the lives of two people, who had gone seeking treatment. Without the help they were given at the centre, these two people could quite easily have died. This clearly demonstrates the value of having services such as these in the town."