ARTWORK completed by youngsters in a North-East secure unit has gone on display.

The work has been done over the past three years by children at the Aycliffe Young People's Centre, in County Durham.

It is featured in an exhibition at Greenfield School Community and Arts Centre, Newton Aycliffe, running until Friday, May 16.

Art teacher Pete Dennis said: "This is all about Aycliffe Young People's Centre getting involved within the community, because for years this centre has been known as a place apart.

"Everybody had these weird ideas about what goes on in here, and this is about altering people's perception of these children as no-hopers.

"The art featured in the exhibition is basically group work.

"When they've all got the same goal they support each other, they learn to trust each other, they are focused and they get on with it. It is something they've never had the opportunity to do before."

The arts and crafts group at Greenfield is gaining a wide reputation. There is a three-year waiting list and the centre has also gained national success.

Author Arthur Koestler, a well-known social reformer who believes in prisoners' rights, supports a competition for prisons, young offenders' institutions, secure units and secure hospitals.

The competition attracts more than 3,000 entries annually and Aycliffe has won awards in the arts and crafts section for each of the past seven years.