A COMMUNITY project that has gone from strength to strength is launching a group aimed at 16 to 19-year-old youths.

Over the past six months, Chester West Community Project has taken on a new lease of life, after moving into Bullion Hall, in Chester-le-Street, when its original community house in Forth Avenue was demolished.

The group, formerly known as Chester West Action Team, traditionally organises trips and activities for elderly residents and children.

But now it is starting up a group called Head 2 Gether to try and engage young men aged between 16 and 19.

It will offer activities such as photography, drug awareness, fitness, men's health, tattooing and welfare rights, and will attract guest speakers and visiting groups and possibly outdoor pursuits such as quadbiking.

A six-month pilot of the group has been funded through a £7,000 grant from the County Durham Foundation from the Network Fund.

Development worker with Chester West Community Project Jim Clare said they would also try to offer support to teenage fathers, who were often overlooked by support services.

Mr Clare said: "There's no catch, we're not trying to offer people jobs, just a local place where they can get together for about two hours a day and chuck in a free lunch.

"But after that the direction the group takes is up to them."