YOUNGSTERS are logging on to the solutions for their teenage problems -- thanks to a new internet centre.

Lancashire County Council has decided to extend its WhatNow? scheme, which already allows youngsters in the county to visit drop-in centres or contact specialist staff via the telephone to discuss any problems they have.

Now the service is going online from a centre in Accrington, meaning teenagers will be able to send e-mails to help staff based in Accrington, as well as accessing a dedicated internet site for advice on issues such as pregnancy, benefits, bullying and housing problems.

A county hall spokesman said: "The service deals with all manner of social issues, varying from sorting out things like bullying and teenage pregnancies to putting them in contact with people they may need to talk to about medical conditions or housing problems."

County Council leader John West has toured the new online centre in Whalley Road, Accrington, along with education chairman Hazel Harding and County Councillor Dorothy Westell, who is responsible for lifelong learning.

Coun Harding said: "This is an important service which helps young people through a challenging period in their lives.

"Adolescence is never easy and I think today's youngsters face more challenges than ever before.

"I know that they can and do cope, but they do better with the right support and information. This service enables them to make responsible and informed decisions." The website -- available at www.whatnow.co.uk -- will include information linking in to current issues as well as the usual concerns many children come up against.

It will also include a range of interactive services, not least a chat room where problem-plagued teenagers will be able to discuss their problems with one another.

The email service -- available at www.q2a.co.uk -- will allow youngsters to send their problems to specialists.

Unlike using the WhatNow? drop-in centres -- which are based in seven locations in Lancashire including Accrington and Bacup -- the e-mail service means youngsters do not have to come face-to-face with counsellors, ensuring total anonymity.

A WhatNow? helpline, which takes 36,000 calls annually, will continue to operate in the evenings on 0800 51 11 11.

Coun Westell said: "We should be proud an online service which reaches young people across the UK is based here in Accrington."

Coun West said: "This innovative service has proved so popular we have been able to market it to 21 other local authorities."

Picture: County Council leader John West with education chairman Hazel Harding, lifelong learning councillor Dorothy Westell and staff