YOUNG people in Hartlepool are forging ahead with preparations for the town's first youth festival next month.

From Saturday, June 21, to Sunday, June 29, more than 2,000 young people will be taking part in performances, exhibitions, street displays and other events.

Called Word of Mouth, the festival is a celebration of the creativity of young people aged 12 to 24 from Hartlepool and Tees Valley.

One of the groups preparing for the event are students from English Martyrs Secondary School, in Hartlepool.

They are creating a series of photographs for an exhibition exploring the differences and contrasts between the organic and mechanical world, highlighting environmental issues and concerns, and exploring the power of images and the media.

A group of them were at Sir William Gray House yesterday, where they used different types of cameras to create the images.

Tori Pearson, from Hartlepool Borough Council's arts, museums and events service, said: "The exhibition will use a range of eyecatching and thought-provoking images to explore the differences between the natural and mechanical world."

The festival is being organised by Hartlepool Borough Council's arts, museums and events service, and is backed by a range of organisations, including Hartlepool United Football Club, The Studio, Middleton Grange Shopping Centre and TFM.

There will be several activities in the town, including a day-long street festival on June 28, featuring an outdoor stage with live bands, street theatre and art workshops.