A HANG-OUT zone, including computer consoles, could be created at the back of a Darwen barber's shop.

Owner Rob McClure, of Prince Hair Salon, in Railway Road, wants to convert the back of his salon into a hub for the town's youth.

Rob was a project coordinator/group leader/mentor with Bolton Lads & Girls Club for four years between 2009 and 2013 and he wants to offer teenagers a safe place to hang out.

He worked with youngsters at the town's Youth Zone itself and led trips to the Lake District and Scotland as he considered a career in teaching.

Now he is using his skills to offer an apprenticeship to a would-be barber and keep the kids off the streets, but is turning to the gofundme website to crowd-source funds.

McClue, 28, said: "I'm an ex-youth worker and always wanted to combine the passion I had previously with the big passion for my humble little barber shop.

"I put every bit of passion into my work life after serving my apprenticeship and receiving my qualifications.

"I'm quite simply struggling to get to the next level as quickly as possible, along with Will Heaney who has joined and is renting a chair.

"With charging £5/£6 every haircut we are here to provide a great service but obviously get custom as we are new.

"We have most of the boys coming in even when no haircut is needed just for fun, friendly banter and laughs.

"I would love and appreciate any help in generating money to turn the large back section of the shop into a beautiful neon-lit super nice interior gamesroom-esque experience with screens for FIFA tournaments, beanbags, retro football shirts and pool table if we have the space!"

He added: "I need to generate the funds for something for the community to all come together and all the guys to have everything in one place.

"I simply thought I'd give this site a go because I've put plenty into charity events such as sponsoring a youth football team and we are available to help college students come use our facilities for free to do assessments."

The lads are also sorting out a charity event when Rob is removing his friend's hair for a cancer charity.

The music artist Jonathan Lindley, who is on the local record label Sunbird Records, is also doing a Brave The Shave when he'll lose his beard and flowing locks!