HUNDREDS of youngsters made sure the first SNAP@ event of the New Year was a huge success.

Planet Ice, at the West Ham Leisure Park, Basingstoke, hosted the first SNAP@ Ice Disco of 2004 on Wednesday evening.

Children aged 11 to 16 were invited to the ice disco to dance and skate, but also to learn about the dangers of drugs, alcohol and smoking.

The ice disco provided the opportunity for children to talk informally to youth workers and to gain information about services and issues they may be interested in.

The event was subsidised by Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council through its Building Safer Communities (BSC) scheme, with further support from Basingstoke police and Crimestoppers.

Pc Paul Green, from Basingstoke police, said: "It was a big success and was attended by about 500 young people, aged 11 to 16, who all had a good time. The main issue was to encourage them to 'Say No and Phone' and to prevent them getting into situations that involve drugs."

The original SNAP discos were piloted in 1997 and updated in September 2003 to reflect the diversity of venues and to welcome new children.

Charlie Colon, Planet Ice arena manager, said: "We wanted to make the kids realise that drugs and alcohol are bad for them and ruin lives. We have a lot of ice sports available here at the ice rink as an alternative to walking around the streets and sometimes getting into trouble."