A leading Bradford clothes store has installed blue lights in its toilets to try to deter drug addicts from 'shooting up' in its cubicles.

It is the first BHS store - out of more than 100 across the country - to have taken the unusual step in a bid to keep junkies at bay.

The blue lighting in the BHS store in Broadway makes it difficult for addicts to see their veins which means it is harder for them to inject drugs.

Pizza Hut on the corner of Broadway already has the lights in its toilets but it is believed to be the first time a major store has taken the measure.

Signs outside the toilets in BHS explain to customers the reason behind the new lighting.

A BHS spokesman said: "BHS has installed specialist lighting in these toilets to act as a deterrent to any potential drug abusers using these facilities.

"This decision was made on the advice of the local police force and other retailers who have also decided to use this approach."

The spokesman said it was the first BHS store in the country to have the lights installed out of more than 100 stores nationwide and added: "It was a solution offered to a problem and so far it seems to be working."

PC Lew McKenzie, Bradford Central police's crime prevention officer, said he first suggested the idea of the lights to the store's manager during a security visit.

He said: "I suggested the blue lighting as one alternative to stop people injecting in the toilets. The problem of addicts using public toilets in the city centre to inject has been reduced over the years because of a number of initiatives that we have introduced including the lights. We suggest a variety of preventative measures to reduce or stop this problem all together."

Jeff Frankel, chairman of the Bradford Retail Action Group, said he was not aware of the lights but welcomed the move.

He said: "It would seem a sensible precaution to stop drugs addicts from injecting in public toilets, if indeed it does work."

Stephen Seymour, operations manager at Kirkgate Market, said he had never heard of the blue light deterrent.

"We don't have a problem with heroin users as once we are open we have hourly patrols by security guards who visit the toilets throughout the day," he said.

"But we do find some syringes in the cubicles and I'd be very interested to find out more about this deterrent system."

Chris Kaye, sales manager at Sunwin House in Bradford, said he was also not aware of the system and added the store had warning signs near toilets and frequent patrols to ensure they were not misused.

But Barbara Knowles from Buttershaw said that the dim lighting will make it difficult for those who are elderly, partially sighted or those who require medical injections.

The 61-year-old pensioner said: "There's a blue light in the corridor but going into the toilet it's like a blue fog."

Martin Williamson, of Bradford Age Concern, said: "Obviously we would encourage anything which attempts to make life and getting out safer. But if these lights prove to be a problem with elderly customers the company should have another look at alternative measures.