A Newton Aycliffe student is playing a key role in planning a regional event.

Alan Strickland, 18, a student at Darlington's Queen Elizabeth Sixth Form College, is helping to organise the Young Citizen Shaping the Future conference at Ramside Hall, Durham, on July 4 and 5.

The conference will bring together 60 decision-makers from all over the country and 60 young people from the North-East.

Workshops will allow the young people to discuss health, education, crime, work, housing and culture issues with advice from professionals.

Alan, retiring president of the college's student association, is co-ordinating the nomination of young people for the event and is in touch with schools, youth projects and voluntary organisations to identify suitable delegates.

He is looking for 11 to 26-year-olds and is being helped with the planning by 16-year-old Ben Kelsey, from Newton Aycliffe's Greenfield School, who is in charge of grant applications and entertainment.

The two days will end with a regional youth assembly where all the discussions will be brought together. A report will be sent to youth agencies and Government departments.

Alan said: "This is a really exciting event which promises to make a real difference to the status of young people in our society."