HOODED tops are being banned from a new under-18s club night in Huddersfield.

Partygoers in hoods will be turned away from Dance Paradise at Heaven And Hell.

"Hoodies" have become a uniform for many young people - but the club's promoter is worried they create the wrong image.

The move opens up a wider debate - do "hoodies" make wearers seem thuggish and intimidating, or are they a harmless fashion statement?

Supermarkets in some areas have banned hooded tops because wearers cannot be identified as clearly on closed-circuit TV.

Baseball caps, tracksuits and heavy jewellery will also be outlawed from Dance Paradise.

Adam Gregg, 23, is launching a new night in Huddersfield for 14 to 17-year-olds - and the dress code bans such hoods, caps and Ali G-style bling jewellery, plus some sorts of trainers.

Adam says: "Hooded tops and trainers give the wrong impression.

"I want to create a sense of occasion - and that means dressing up and making an effort.

"We don't want to see people in tracksuit bottoms and scruffy trainers."

Adam runs Dance Paradise nights in Holmfirth, Hull and Bradford, as well as Huddersfield.

The town's once-a- month Monday event, for 14 to 17-year-olds, has just moved to Heaven And Hell, New Street.

It was previously at Club Paparazzi and Rhythms In Indigo.

The launch party is next Tuesday at Heaven And Hell, from 6.30pm to 9pm. New boy band D-Rail will perform.

Adam, of New Mill, says: "The dress code for the night is smart casual, with no sportswear, caps or hooded tops allowed.

"We used to be more strict, but we've decided that smart trainers and jeans are OK."

Rules mirror those often employed for ordinary, over-18 clubbers.

Adam says education is a big element of his events - and he's inviting organisations who'd like to attend to get in touch.

He added: "Anyone who's got a message to put across is welcome to use Dance Paradise as a forum.

"We want to introduce young people to the issues of safer clubbing and things that can effect teenagers, such as mobile phone theft, pregnancy and drug and alcohol abuse," said Adam.

Drugs outreach worker Dan Dearnley: "If people took the time to get to know kids behind the hoods, they'd realise they're ordinary people with opinions and a bit of life about them. It's only a trend, the same as how people used to wear bell bottoms. It's not because they are criminals, hooded tops is just what young people wear. Kids don't wear them to intimidate older people - they just wear them because they want to."

Det Con Jim Carter, of Huddersfield police: "Hoods are a fashion accessory and a certain number of young people wear them up. We don't want to tar people with the same brush, but they do have an effect on people of older generations, who see them as intimidating. On the other hand there are plenty of legitimate reasons to wear a hood up - if it's cold, or raining."

Chief Insp Nadeem Butt, of Kirklees Community Safety: "The hooded top is universal, regardless of whether you're from a rich family or a poor family, it transcends all backgrounds.

"We can't criminalise people for their taste in clothes, though tops may seem intimidating to some people. We can't stereotype wearers.

* What's your view on hooded tops? Do they make young people look threatening? Or are you a fan? Phone Jenny Parkin on 01494 437769 or email jenny.parkin@examiner. co.uk