YOUNGSTERS will get a chance to try out potholing - without setting foot underground.

Lockwood-based display specialist KD Decoratives has built a mini cave system for the Youth Hostel Association.

It will form part of the exhibition stand when the YHA attends the Outdoor Show at the NEC, Birmingham, next weekend.

Holmfirth-based Worthington Brown Advertising commissioned the stand on behalf of the YHA, which is one of its major clients.

The "cave" - measuring 18ft across by 12ft high - has three entrances and exits at three levels.

Youngsters equipped with helmet-mounted cameras can work their way through the system while their progress can be viewed on plasma screens set up at either side of the exhibit stand.

The cave is carved out of polystyrene which has been painted and coated with rubberised polyurethane.

The "cave" is made even more realistic by sound effects, including dripping water and echoes.

KD Decoratives is best known for making lavish displays for shopping centres, museums and theme parks.

Director Matthew Kitchen- Dunn said: "This was an unusual project even for us and it posed plenty of challenges.

"We had to consider the safety factor while making it as realistic as possible."

The display will be transported to Birmingham next week for the three-day exhibition, which begins on Friday.

After that, it will be installed permanently at a YHA site in Devon where it will be used for visiting school trips and summer camps.

Bob Taylor, managing director of Worthington Brown Advertising, said: "The aim is to highlight the YHA's Do It 4 Real summer camps.

"The camps are being run for 16,000 youngsters aged 11 to 17 at 37 YHA locations this summer.

"Caving is a good example of one of the great things that the kids will do on a Do It 4 Real camp."

Worthington Brown Advertising also lists Toyota Industrial Equipment, car dealer Harratts Volvo, the Samaritans in Sheffield and Nottinghamshire Fostering Service among its clients.