TONY Blair met youngsters involved in a County Durham youth activities project yesterday.

The Co-ordination of Social Inclusion Programmes (Cosip) scheme, run by a range of agencies, provides free out-of-school activities including mountain climbing, fishing, performing arts, and CD-making, for local youngsters.

They are being showcased in an exhibition at County Hall, Durham, which runs until tomorrow.

The Prime Minister spoke to some of the young people who have taken part in activities during a visit to the exhibition, which is the first of its kind to be organised by Cosip.

Christina Blythe, chairman of Cosip and head of County Durham Youth Offending Service, said: "Children in County Durham are our future.

"Our job, as the grown-ups, is to help young people fulfil their potential and provide positive experiences which will benefit them and the communities to which they belong.

"All of our schemes focus on educating young people through sport, outdoor and community activities, drama, media and the arts, to be active, positive members of their law-abiding community."

Chief Inspector Tim Wilson, executive manager of the Durham Agency Against Crime, said: "The exhibition is for young people, parents, youth groups and teachers - in fact anyone with an interest in ensuring youngsters access the most appropriate out-of-school inclusion programmes.

"They are designed to make it less likely that youngsters will follow a path that might lead them into crime."