A CENTRE which helps lost, drunk or injured town centre revellers has been hailed as a 'life-saving' scheme.

The Rest and Retreat Centre in Hammerton Street, Burnley was re-launched this week to make people aware of the services and support on offer, as well as promoting a safer night out in the town.

Now campaigners in Blackburn are calling for a similar initiative to be set up in the town.

Staffed by police and health care staff, as well as providing a base for street pastors, the centre has already helped save the life of a man who collapsed at the centre’s door.

Had he not been immediately sent to hospital for emergency surgery on a brain haemorrhage, he would have died.

Nurse practitioner John Alderson said: “On average we’ll see four or five people a night who are a little worse for wear and who may have injured themselves or been injured. It does vary though, one recent Saturday night we had 17 people through the doors.

“More people are becoming aware of the centre and door staff at some of the pubs and clubs are also pointing people in our direction.

“We estimated that out of 570 people we’ve treated who would otherwise have had to have an ambulance, only 20 of those actually needed one calling out, which means a massive saving in cash and resources.”

The 'RnR' centre costs £16,000 a year to run, but it is estimated to have saved the NHS around £2.1 million since it opened in spring 2008 by reducing ambulance call-outs.

Open between 10pm and 3am Friday and Saturday nights, the initiative is supported by Burnley Community Safety Partnership.

Pat Rogers, mother of 24-year-old Adam Rogers who died following an incident in Blakburn town centre, welcomed the ‘RnR’ centre.

She said: “We are delighted to hear about the work being done in Burnley. It coincides with some of the ideas the members of my focus group at St Mary's college have been talking about.

“There needs to be a safe place for people who feel vulnerable.

“I know it is an initiative we would welcome in Blackburn. It is really important that many concerned groups are taking the problem in our town centres seriously and are trying to make a difference.

“I hope the authorities in Blackburn will look closely at what is being done in other towns and start to take positive action.”