TEENAGERS at a Cwmbran under-18s' nightclub were tested for drugs in a landmark operation for Gwent Police on Saturday night.

More than 170 teenagers at Club Zenon were screened by police in the force's first large-scale test of the new Ion Track drug-screening machine.

The £40,000 machine tests the skin for traces of all known illegal narcotics.

Police questioned 24 youths who gave positive readings - but said the levels were so low they were satisfied they had not taken drugs.

Instead, they may have come into contact with drugs but not necessarily taken them.

No drugs were found and no arrests were made, and police were pleased with the success of the operation.

PC Darrell Dewar, crime and disorder reduction officer for Cwmbran police, said: "We had no specific intelligence that there was a drug problem at the club, but we wanted to send out the message that drugs are not going to be tolerated.

"The government is concerned that teenagers are getting their hands on drugs. By testing youngsters for drugs we can find out who is taking them, how they are getting their hands on them, and then we can target the dealers."

Club Zenon, run for anyone aged 17 or younger, has been operating in Our Lady of the Angels Church Hall, Victoria Street, for more than four years. It offers an alcohol-free nightclubbing experience for teenagers.

In the past the club has attracted unwarranted claims of drug use, and manager Dave Thomas is happy that Saturday's operation has set the record straight.

"We want to show the public that this club is 100 per cent clean and free of drugs. Drugs have never really been an issue for us, but we have had to put up with a lot of false rumours about the club that have affected business.

"We have a zero tolerance policy on drugs, alcohol and any sort of trouble.

"We work closely with the police and it was great to see that the kids were fully supportive of the operation."