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A hostel in London is offering brave tourists the chance to pay to stay in an original prison cell for the night.

Clink78 hostel, which is housed in the Clerkenwell Magistrates' Court, is billed as 'funky, up-beat and classy' and facilities include free breakfast, an internet room and a late-licence bar.

Former inmates at the courthouse include punk rockers The Clash and author Charles Dickens once worked there are a court scribe.

Room without a view: 'Inmates' can choose from mixed dorms, private rooms and original prison cells at the hostel

The building in the King's Cross area of Central London had a major revamp after closing its doors following more than 200 years of handing out convictions.

The funky hostel opened in 2008 and took its name from The Clash who were famously fined at the court in 1978 after shooting expensive racing pigeons with an air rifle.

Courthouse drama: One of the English Heritage-listed courtrooms has been set aside for watching movies

The Court's old prison cells have been converted into bedrooms that feature barred windows, prison-style bunk beds and the cell's original toilets.

Prices start from just £10 per bed per night meaning visitors won't need to spend time sewing mailbags to fund a trip to the hostel.

Would-be inmates can choose from mixed dorms, private rooms and the courthouse's original prison cells.

Serving time: The building in the King's Cross area of Central London had a major revamp after closing its doors following more than 200 years of handing out convictions

Doing bird: The funky hostel took its name from The Clash who were famously fined at the court in 1978

The Bird's Nest Dorms, which are located in the 'calmest part of the hostel', are for women only and feature bunk beds, communal bathrooms, hairdryers and free towels.

A night in an authentic prison cell costs £50 and the rooms feature the original heavy metal doors with hatch, barred windows, benches, bunk beds and steel toilets, which are now just for show.

The hostel claims that the cells have been 'refurbished to add colour, warmth and humour' and guests are reassured that they will not be locked in at night.

Female wing: The Bird's Nest Dorms are for women only and feature bunk beds, communal bathrooms, hairdryers and free towels

Author Charles Dickens worked as a court scribe at the Magistrates' Court while writing Oliver Twist and The Clash stood trial there in 1978.

The hostel's late-licence bar has been named after the hell-raising punk rockers and is open seven nights a week, regularly hosting live music and DJs.

Funky makeover: The hostel offers a 24-hour reception and its walls are dotted with colourful artwork

One of the English Heritage-listed courtrooms has been set aside for watching movies while visitors can surf the web from the dock.

The hostel also offers a self-catering kitchen and guests are served free breakfast in the open-plan dining room where porridge is no doubt a popular choice.

There is also a 24-hour reception, a laundry room and a shop that sells discounted tickets for London attractions along with travel essentials including plug adaptors, toothbrushes and toiletries.

Famous inmates: The late-licence bar is named after The Clash who were convicted at the courthouse in the 1970s

A spokesperson for the hostel said: 'This 200-year-old courthouse was originally used for petty criminal and less serious offences, although The Clash punk group were convicted here in the 70s.

'Retaining the original facade and many of the courtroom relics, this Grade II listed building is situated in a conservation area 10 minutes away from King's Cross station.

'Restored and converted to offer a combination of hostel dormitory, single and double rooms, as well as six original prison cells, it's funky, up-beat and classy.'

Original features: In one of the English Heritage-listed courtrooms guests can surf the web from the dock

Escape route: Would-be inmates are promised that they won't be locked in at night