A BLACKBURN landlady has completed the renovation of the student bar below her town centre pub.

Joanne Calf, 23, of FJ Nichols, Northgate, opened new-look The Works and promised a relaxed atmosphere away from lectures.

The Indie Rock bar has new comfy sofas, a big screen television, a dart board, a fruit machine, a table football and has plans for a student menu offering cheap, tasty grub.

The Works will also play host to a number of bands on a Friday night -- this week's offering will be Mist, who will start playing at 11pm.

The bar is open Friday and Saturday night until 2am and from 12-6pm midweek with a happy hour from 4-6pm.

Joanne, originally from Leeds, studied Business Management and Finance at Blackburn College. After her studies she has worked in a shop, a company's accounts department and a Blackburn town centre bank before turning her hand to pub management.

She said she completed most of the work herself so she could keep the price down. "We did most of the work ourselves, we did the decorating and we brought down the sofa that was in my flat.

"I just wanted to offer somewhere nice for students to go. I know from my own experience that there isn't much for them in the town and as we are really close to the college we are in a prime location to provide it."

Joanne also has a Christmas extravaganza planned for the festive period.

She is forcing her assistant manager Russel Cartmel to dress up as Santa and her barman Matthew Bradley to dress as Miss Santa Claus.

Joanne hopes customers will pay a pound to sit on Santa's knee and they will be entered into a raffle to get a mystery prize -- anything from a Christmas hat to a personal CD player. There will also be a competition for customers to find the best dressed Santa.