A PILOT project which aims to reduce anti-social behaviour by getting youths off the streets on Friday nights has been launched.

More than 200 youngsters attended a rave night at Branksome School in Darlington.

And yesterday, police hailed the evening a success, saying there were just three reports of anti-social behaviour in the west of Darlington on Friday.

The Westside project was set up by Darlington Police's StreetSafe team and launched in February to crack down on the growing problem of youths causing annoyance, following 5,000 reports to police last year.

The officers have been working across the town, befriending youngsters, drying up the supply of alcohol and arresting trouble-makers.

They have focused on Cockerton and Branksome, and discovered the problem was exacerbated because there was no youth provision in the area on Friday nights.

Sergeant Dave Kirton, who leads the team, said of the rave: "The kids enjoyed it and there weren't any major problems. There were no complaints from residents.

"Some of the kids who are hard to reach were coming up afterwards and thanking us, which was really good to see.

"I welcomed them back to the next rave in three weeks, provided they behave themselves, so we have given them a carrot."

He thanked the team of volunteers and Vinyl Fantasy, who provided the equipment and DJs.

The project already has seven volunteers, but there are more in the process of getting criminal record checks.

The No Messin' campaign was launched by The Northern Echo last month, in conjunction with Network Rail and with support from people across the region.

It follows the deaths of teenagers Stuart Adams, 15, and Lee Mullis, 14, who were killed on Good Friday while playing on a railway line in Darlington.

The campaign aims to highlight the dangers of trespassing on railways and promote positive activities for young people.

The Westside project is based at Branksome School on Friday evenings. Activities are planned for the next 15 weeks and include beauty therapy, motorbiking, a rodeo bull, army training and discos.

Steve Thompson, who runs Genuine Army Surplus in North Road, is a volunteer. He said: "I used to get on my soap box and moan about these kids, but then I thought I should do something about it. That's why I volunteered.