YOUNGSTERS blamed for anti-social behaviour and vandalism have launched a fundraising project to say sorry.

Rival breweries stepped in to back a beer barrel race by the youngsters, in Masham. A sponsored race around the Market Place has been organised.

Those blamed for vandalism and anti-social behaviour have publicly apologised for their actions and decided to take part in the barrel push.

Graham Howard-Barker, who owns the Bank Villa guesthouse, suggested the idea of a fundraising push to police community constable Gareth Jones.

Now the officer has spearheaded the sponsored relay race around the Market Place, to be held at lunchtime on Saturday, March 19.

The barrels - filled with water rather than beer - will be rolled in the name of the town's Theakston's and Black Sheep Breweries.

Money raised by the youngsters in sponsorship will go to providing a "tangible gift" for residents at Maple Creek elderly people's homes where vandals switched off the electricity supply.

PC Jones said: "The idea of the event is to have something which will make the competitors sweat, but at the same time raise money from sponsorship for their efforts."

On Wednesday, Simon Theakston kicked off the fundraising with a donation of £50 when some of the youngsters and PC Jones met to officially launch the project.

PC Jones can be contacted on 07909 686508.