James Brierley has been told to get a new hobby after braking into Apollo Bingo in Blackpool for fun. Online members of the websites Urban Explorer and 24/7 Exploration are encouraged to get into derelict buildings and take pictures. James, a bar worker, has ended up in trouble having broken a door to get into the old bingo club on Waterloo Road.

The 19 year old local lad pleaded guilty to damaging the door when he appeared before the Blackpool magistrates and was sentenced to 100 hours unpaid community work, £100 compensation and £85 costs.

It really was not his lucky day not only did he pick the wrong door to break into but witnesses saw him and phoned the police. After breaking into the rear door he found himself facing a brick wall. Brierley told the judge: "I was going to go round the building, take pictures and put them on the websites, but there was a brick wall there."

Pam Smith, prosecuting, told the court that at 2.30am on September 16 a witness had seen to males acting suspiciously behind the Apollo building and had phoned the police.

When the police officers arrived on the scene they found Brierley nearby with a crowbar and a screwdriver. He had damaged the cellar door while trying to gain access to the building.

District Judge Jeff Brailsford suggested that Brierley should consider alternative means of entertaining himself: "The first thing I would suggest is that you find another hobby because this one is going to get you into trouble.

"You caused damage for what seems to me the most fatuous reason of taking photographs of a derelict building."

James should think about playing bingo at one of the many older bingo clubs around the UK. At least that way he can take photograpghs of older looking buildings and have the chance of winning some great prizes, while knowing that he isn't going to get prosecuted, fined and have to do a free work for the community.