TEENAGERS can help create a youth-friendly neighbourhood if they seize a chance to get involved in shaping the future of their town.

Sedgefield police hope to enlist about a dozen youngsters, aged between 15 and 17, to form a youth council for Spennymoor.

The town's beat team will ask secondary school teachers to put them in touch with young people who could contribute to the proposed council and would benefit from being involved.

The team wants a broad spectrum of young people who live in the town or the surrounding villages, including Byers Green, Tudhoe, Middlestone Moor and Kirk Merrington.

Members would meet regularly and have an elected chairman, who could hold the post for a three-month period.

PC Dawn Southern, the town's beat officer, said: "It is an ideal opportunity for youngsters to engage in local matters and push their ideas forward.

"Nobody knows what they want in the area and what will keep them off the streets better than themselves, but they need to tell the right people.

"We know they like the under-18s discos at The Cube nightclub, but they might want youth shelters, clubs, sports facilities and a skate park.

"As a youth council they would have the opportunity to put forward these suggestions to the councils and agencies who can provide them, and are more likely to get what they want."

Police hope the move will break down the barriers they feel exist between authorities and young people and reduce anti-social behaviour and public order offences.

PC Southern said: "A few young people are becoming known to us because see them hanging about the streets, it their views we want.

"The group could talk to other young people and explain why we need to move them on sometimes.

"Often they are just bored and perceived to be causing trouble, if they prove they are working for the good of the area the fear of crime should fall."

To get involved in the proposed youth council call (01388) 814411.