A challenge which 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 10 years, is open to teams of 11 to 17-year-olds from throughout the North-East.

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

PC Mary Atkin, the 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 10 years now, it does take good lateral thinking to come up with something new."

The project initially had to take place in a square mile around homes, schools or youth clubs, but has now been expanded and 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.

They will then attend the grand final at Hardwick Hall Hotel in Sedgefield, on Wednesday, July 17, where each will give a short presentation.

The winning team will receive an all-expenses paid trip to South Africa, the two runners-up get an adventure holiday in Kielder and there are prizes for all finalists.

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

PC Atkin added: "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."