UNDER-AGED clubbers partied the night away in Felixstowe and the event was hailed yet another success.And all this despite only 89 youngsters aged 13 to 17 turning up for The Lowbiza safe dance event at the Lixs night club.

joanne.constable@eveningstar.co.uk

UNDER-AGED clubbers partied the night away in Felixstowe and the event was hailed yet another success.

And all this despite only 89 youngsters aged 13 to 17 turning up for The Lowbiza safe dance event at the Lixs night club.

The Lowbiza partnership, which organised the night, had hoped to sell more than the 230 tickets sold for the Valentine's night held earlier this year.

But the partnership was still pleased because the revellers thoroughly enjoyed the trouble-free night and were said to have given some excellent feedback.

Lowbiza events have been held in Felixstowe for the last two years. It is held at the resort to give teenagers who are under 18 the chance to legally go clubbing in a safe environment.

Organisers, which included Suffolk Constabulary, Suffolk Primary Care groups and the county council's community education team, joined up to show the teenagers how they can have a good night out without drink or drugs.

Drugs, alcohol and smoking were banned and throughout the evening advice concerning alcohol awareness and sexual health was given out by youth workers.

From 7.30-11pm Lixs, formerly Central Park, in Sea Road, staged the beach-themed party where there were a range of non-alcoholic cocktails and many give-aways including a mini hi-fi and music vouchers.

Detective Sergeant Daye Goddard, a member of the Lowbiza partnership, said: "We are trying to get the message out and raise awareness as to the possible dangers of insensible drinking.

"We want to improve the safety for everyone and improve the enjoyment for people and say you don't have to resort to alcohol and drugs."

Organisers were considering reviewing next year's summer event and changing the date of the summer Lowbiza to the half-term school holidays in June because ticket sales for July's event were lower than the one held in winter.

They said the event was suffering because there are so many activities available for teenagers during the summer holidays which has kept them busy to the detriment of Lowbiza.

Also the partnership was planning to get the teenagers more involved in the organisation of the event so that they can gear the nights to what they want.

Felixstowe's Lowbiza nights have not been as successful as the more established events in Lowestoft, which can attract up to 500 revellers each time.

Lowbiza is named after Lowestoft, where the event was pioneered, and Ibiza, which is famous for being a clubbing capital.

n A cheque for £400 was presented to the Evening Star's Vicky Hall Memorial Appeal. The money was raised from ticket sales at the last Felixstowe Lowbiza event and will go towards the memorial fund in aid of the 17-year-old who was abducted and killed more than two years ago.