By Anna Burdett

Last updated at 10:43, Saturday, 17 March 2012

Getting covered in paint might not be everyone’s idea of a fun night out but hundreds of students will pay for the privilege in Cumbria next week.

The county’s first of a new nationwide craze in paint parties will be held at Walkabout in Carlisle on Tuesday.

They are the idea of Workington firm ExtremeFX who last summer organised a 50-date tour of student union bars and clubs around the country.

But next week will be the first time they have tried out their idea on Cumbrians.

General manager Mark Johnson said: “We came up with the concept of UV paint parties about two years ago and we’ve held about 300 parties.

“This will be the first one in Cumbria. A lot of the clubs here were apprehensive about getting covered in paint or they were too small.

“But clubs are struggling to attract people in and they’re looking for new ideas. They just can’t open the doors now and expect people to walk in.”

The UV paint is water based powder paint which can be brushed away completely once it is dry and returned to powder form.

Around 70 litres of paint will be fired through cannons under a UV light at Walkabout according to manager Carol Hammon.

She said: “Paint parties are all the rage in the rest of the country but there’s never been one in Carlisle.

“There will be mats down that can be taken up and washed.

“The paint is non-toxic and it’s easy to wash out of clothes.

“We’re trying it out on our student night when some of the entry fee will go to the University of Cumbria students’ union.”

The company offers to host the party or will send out a comprehensive pack with instructions so that people can organise it themselves.

First published at 08:57, Saturday, 17 March 2012
Published by http://www.newsandstar.co.uk