Workshops which aim to give young people the chance to shape the future of local government are to be held across North Yorkshire.

The Making Your Mark workshops, for people up to 26, have been organised by the county council to generate interest and debate in community services, employment and citizenship issues.

Council leader John Weighell said: "Without young people really realising it, the council is constantly working to provide the kind of services everyone needs at some stage in their lives.

"Now they can have a direct input into those services by raising their concerns and issues with us.

"We want to know what concerns young people, whether it is education, transport or employment. Their views will help shape the future of local government services in North Yorkshire.

"Live music and a DJ will be a feature at each event and we hope they'll be dynamic, engaging and fun."

Workshops will be at Richmond Town Hall on October 18; Scarborough library and information centre, Vernon Road, on October 19; Hyper, East Road, Harrogate, on October 20; and Barlby High School Youth Centre, near Selby, on October 21. All workshops start at 6.30pm.

The issues raised at the workshops will then be discussed with a question time panel of senior councillors at County Hall, Northallerton, on October 22, from 6pm.