HUNDREDS of youngsters splashed the night away at Basingstoke Aquadrome on Saturday at the launch of a new series of SAFE dance events organised by the borough council and the police.

SAFE (Safe And Friendly Environment) is a community safety initiative which gives 11 to 16-year-olds a chance to socialise and have fun in a supervised environment.

The scheme is a replacement for the long-running SNAP (Say No And Phone) nights that mostly took place at Basingstoke Sports Centre.

Pc Mark O'Hanlon was one of several other officers on hand at the Aquadrome to answer any questions the children had, to give advice and to support the launch.

He said: "This is the ideal opportunity to bring kids together in a safe environment somewhere where they can get help and advice if they need it. It's a chance for them to have fun and to make them aware of issues that may affect them."

Claire Griffiths, the head of community safety at Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council, said: "As with the SNAP events, the Crimestoppers number will be promoted, but there will also be a local focus with an anti-drugs and anti-alcohol message."

The name of the new nights was decided after a competition in secondary schools across the borough. Heather Brown, from Bishop Challoner School, and Vicki Mardle, 16, from Aldworth Science College, both received £60-worth of vouchers from Festival Place shopping centre for coming up with the winning name.

Paul Green, community safety co-ordinator at the borough council, said: "Out of all the entries we had, it was quite remarkable to have the word SAFE from two different people. Vicki went a step further with the definition."

The next event is planned for the end of April. For more information, contact Paul Green on 01256 845316 or e-mail him at p.green@basingstoke.gov.uk

First published: Wednesday, March 9, 2005