THE battle to keep schoolchildren off the streets and out of trouble has been taken up by a couple from Nelson who plan to open an after-school club.

Jean Pollard and David Whiteside, both 33, of Reedyford Road, have been asking schools for their opinions on plans to open a club in Nelson town centre.

David runs Pendle Martial Arts club, which opened this week above Jane's Boutique, Scotland Road, and the couple are hoping to use the same premises for the after-school club, which would open between 4pm and 6pm during the week.

Jean, a qualified nursery nurse, said: "We heard from social services that there is a need for after-school clubs in this area and they advised us to contact the schools.

"We are hoping to start the club during the next couple of months and we plan to have computers, homework study areas, quiet areas and play areas, as well as snacks."

The proposed name for the club is Jumbo's Afterschool Club and it would cater for up to 50 children between five and 11 years.

Jean said: "There will be about five members of staff and depending on how it goes we may open during the holidays as well because being a nursery nurse I get five weeks off too.

"It's slap bang in the middle of Nelson so it's easy to get to and we would run buses from the schools to the club. Everything would be included in the £3 an hour fee.

"I work at Devereux School and we have an after-school club there but it only runs till 5pm and apart from that I'm not aware of any others so there is a definite need for it. The children will have somewhere to go if their parents are at work and they won't be wandering the streets

"I am looking forward to it but it is nerve-racking."

Anyone wanting further details about the club or who want to give their opinion on it should call Jean and David on 01282 710619.