Think of bingo and the image of smoky halls, tatty old carpet and a clientele made up of 75-year-old women is conjured up.

However, this is not the modern face of the game. Bingo has moved with the times with new refurbished bingo halls, new games, bigger prizes, better facilities and more importantly a younger customer base.

Bingo has reinvented itself in the past few years, with increasing numbers of 20 and 30-year-olds getting into the game and seeing the high street bingo hall as another venue for their Friday or Saturday night out.

It is now a trendier, younger crowd which is flocking to the halls to play a couple of games, buy a few drinks, enjoy a meal and possibly go away with some extra cash.

Pat Simpson, main stage caller of Mecca Bingo in Uxbridge Road, Hayes, said: "We get a lot more young people these days because they want a night out with a difference. They can have a good time without spending too much and still go clubbing afterwards.

"There is the thrill of winning too, which you can't get from the usual pubs, cinemas or clubs."

Walking into the former cinema building in Hayes you come into the main hall which is well lit, cool, clean and very quiet, apart from the the friendly voice of the bingo caller and the gentle squeak of pen marker on paper. Numbers are read out in steady succession and simultaneously shown on a computer display.

Then suddenly someone says 'yes' or 'thank you' and everything stops. An usher comes to inspect the card of a lucky winner.

I was surprised that no one shouts 'house' any more and I was expecting to see dozens of coloured, numbered ping pong balls spinning in a chamber. But modern bingo is now a modern leisure business, complete with computer technology and links with other venues to increase the prize pot and the excitement of the game.

With a new national game, numbers generated by a central computer are fed to Mecca venues all over the country, offering prizes of up to £100,000. A Hayes man scooped the top prize only last month.

Another draw for the clubs is the safe atmosphere, with a strict members-only policy at the door and a family atmosphere. You often see mothers and daughters playing together.

As one of the country's biggest bingo clubs, Mecca will be celebrating its 40th birthday in style with celebrations at all branches.

Both the Hayes and Hounslow branches featured theme nights last Saturday and Sunday with staff and customers in 60s and 70s dress, live bands and free games.

A spokeswoman for the company said: "The whole network has been around for four decades and what better way to celebrate than with a party.

"I urge anyone to give it a try. It's not difficult to play and the atmosphere of the hushed hall with everyone waiting for their winning numbers is amazing."

By.Michael Lau