A CHALLENGE that has involved more than 5,000 teenagers in environmental, crime prevention or social projects reaches its climax next week.

The Square Mile Project, which has been running for ten years, is open to teams of North-East youngsters aged from 11 to 17.

This year's competition, organised by Durham Agency Against Crime and sponsored by Northumbrian Water and Transco, attracted almost 100 teams from across the region.

PC Mary Atkin, Square Mile co-ordinator, said: "They've got to do some type of project that improves their community. That could be anything from helping older people or disabled people, cleaning up an area, picking up litter or tidying gardens - absolutely anything.

"But because the project's been running for ten years now, it does take good lateral thinking to come up with something new."

Initially, the projects had to take place within a square mile of homes, schools or youth clubs, but it has now been expanded. Schemes over the years have looked at bullying, drugs, water safety and recycling.

Each entry received an initial visit from a judge earlier this year, after which they had to send scrapbooks and progress sheets.

PC Atkin said: "The type of things we look for are long-term benefits, how it's going to affect the community, the enthusiasm of the team and whether they're doing it themselves or if it's adult led."

The finalists were selected and were visited again by a panel of judges last week.

On Wednesday, they will attend the final at Hardwick Hall Hotel in Sedgefield, where each will give a short presentation.

There are prizes for all the finalists with the overall winners receiving an all-expenses paid trip to South Africa and two runners-up claiming an adventure holiday in Kielder.

There are two special awards this year for teams which carried on despite having fewer than the minimum three members.

PC Atkin said: "The whole idea of the project is to get kids interested in doing something other than hanging around on street corners, to drive them away from crime.

"Some of the kids have got so much enthusiasm and it will stand them in good stead for the rest of their lives."

The groups that have been awarded a place in the finals of the Square Mile Project, and the chance to win a trip to South Africa are:

COUNTY DURHAM CSP, Eastbourne Comprehensive School, Darlington: Identified elderly people in need in the community and set up a rota to visit them regularly.

Sedgefield Rangers, Girl Guides: Set up a "walking bus" to accompany children to school. The group has secured a grant from the county council.

South Causey Equestrian Centre, Stanley: Members have raised road safety awareness for horse riders and drivers. They also plan to clear a bridle path and have road signs installed.

Sunshine Girls, St John's RC School, Bishop Auckland: Created a paired reading scheme to help pupils become more confident readers. The scheme also helps year seven pupils in areas such as confidence building, conversational skills and social interaction.

Wasp, Duke of Edinburgh Award Scheme, Great Lumley: A project encouraging young people to lead younger children in organised activities. They have set up a club and took a party of young people on a residential expedition to the Durham Dales.

Weard Aliens, Wolsingham Comprehensive School: Set up a computer skills course for adults living in Weardale.

NEWCASTLE Safety in our Community, Church High School: The group looked at the importance of personal safety while travelling to school. They designed a help booklet and give presentations to year seven pupils and also plan to give presentations to neighbouring schools.

The Dream Team, Church High School: Researched the accessibility for wheelchair users when visiting local shops. Designed and produced a ramp which is in use in a local shop. Raised awareness of the problem via the media and will continue to write to the council.

NORTHUMBERLAND The Noisy Bunch, Blyth Community College, Blyth: The group transformed Millfield Community House, in Blyth, by decorating it in bright colours and covering chairs, as well as designing and making furniture.

Nature Reservers, Nunnykirk Estate, Morpeth: Researched and completed a nature reserve. Made a bird watching hut, feeders, bird boxes and cut back bushes and cleared a pond.

SOUTH SHIELDS All Saints Youth Club: Researched and planned an anti-drugs musical and performed it for the Drug Action Team. They have written an anti-drugs song and plan to perform the musical at various venues. The have also learnt sign language.

Teesside Homebase, High Tunstall School, Hartlepool: Created and raised funds for an interactive learning environment for disabled children.

Beyond the Hill, Abbey Hill Technical College, Norton, Stockton: The team has created a wildlife garden, built a pond, planted trees and fencing and created an ornamental archway.

SPECIAL PRIZE WINNERS Wasteland Warriors, Brackenhoe School, Middlesbrough: Carl Smithies has worked tirelessly on a project to build a decorative garden next to a hospital ward for terminally ill children. He has pursued funding and sponsorship successfully and plans have been drawn up to retain ownership of the project..

There 2 Help, Teesside Preparatory and High School, Stockton: Every lunchtime, Sara Blenkinsop and Janine Blyth clean up the footpaths and weed the grassed area on the road leading to the school. They have built up a good relationship with people living in the area.