CHILDREN’S birthday parties rank right up there with getting married and moving house when it comes to stress.

They can send parents climbing up the wall.

But one youth club in Bolton is offering to take all that panic off your hands with a unique birthday party that will send youngsters dizzy with excitement.

Bolton Lads and Girls Club is opening up its 25ft climbing wall for children’s birthday bashes.

The cost of a three-hour party for 10 children is £100 and the club says that money will cover costs as well as funding the vital youth work it does with the town’s children.

Community fundraising officer Simon Baker said: “The kids who use the club week in week out love coming on the climbing wall.

“The stigma with youth clubs is that it’s just a ball in a hall. We give them the kind of facilities that you would expect as an adult.”

The club provides a fully qualified instructor and can also arrange food and drink for after the climbing, at an additional cost.

Not only is the climbing great fun, and something different, it is also good for youngsters’ health and fitness.

Instructor Steve Bradley said: “Climbing is good for your core stability, it is actually a bit like yoga.

“It is also good for children’s hand-eye co-ordination and it’s a great sport for them to get involved in.”

Children trying out the wall yesterday as part of the club’s half term activities said they loved the experience.

Waris Ali Khan, aged 12, from Great Lever, said: “It is great fun. My mum used to climb so maybe that’s where I get it from.

“I like climbing the more difficult routes because they are more challenging.”