TEENAGERS will be propping up the bar in a replica pub run by charity Streetwise where they can learn about how to stay safe on a night out.

The bar sited at the Bournemouth charity’s education centre in West Howe, and complete with pumps, pint glasses and bottles, will be used by youngsters aged 16 and over from local colleges, clubs and youth organisations.

They will able to learn about the potential dangers of a night on the town – including the strengths of various alcoholic drinks, the importance of keeping an eye on each other, getting home safely and avoiding being spiked.

Streetwise’s fundraiser Diane Newbury said: “It looks just like a working bar, even though the bottles are full of tea and coffee, we wanted it to be as realistic as possible.

“There are no lectures involved and it is not ‘finger-wagging’ in a classroom which can cause some people to switch off. It is interactive learning.”

The bar, part of the charity’s NightWise project, was funded with a £40,500 grant from the Talbot Village Trust and £9,000 from national pub chain JD Wetherspoon, which also provided the pumps and general decor to give the mock-up a more authentic feel.

It was put together on a former building site ‘set’ which was not being used thanks to modern high standards of security at such locations.

Downstairs, the charity is working on a mock-up newsagents to teach youngsters about age restricted goods, and shop staff about identifying under age shoppers and false ID.

Streetwise is backed by Dorset Police and sponsored by insurance firm LV=.