BUSINESSES are being urged to help a community's young people - by opening a place where they can meet.

Youngsters in Egglescliffe have approached both Stockton Borough Council and the parish council asking for action.

They have taken up the cause from older brothers and sisters who have gone on to university, or moved away, and are seeking somewhere to spend their free time without annoying residents.

Teenagers gather in groups outside the area's two shopping parades, giving rise to complaints from residents who feel intimidated.

Skateboarding youngsters are chased off car parks by motorists fearful of getting their vehicles scratched.

The parish council has written to about 30 companies in the area to see if any of them can offer space for skateboarding and ball games.

Ward councillor John Fletcher said: "At the moment we are still searching and trying to find out what we can do.

"The real crux of the problem is there are not a lot of youth facilities in the Eaglescliffe area, because this sort of thing tends to get aided by grants and partnerships - but in areas of deprivation.

"It is frustrating and one of these questions with no easy answer. I also sympathise with neighbours who do not want noisy games which will intrude on their property.''

Youngsters have suggested a youth or internet caf in one of the shopping parades.

Education authority Stockton council is looking at opening an after-hours drop-in coffee bar for young people on a trial basis at Egglescliffe School, on Friday evenings.

"This will depend a lot on these young people getting volunteers from among their parents to help out," said Helen Rennison, clerk to the parish council.

A spokesman said Stockton council was keen to move the idea of a youth caf forward.

He said: "I understand the school has been approached and agrees in principle, subject to enough volunteers being available to staff the place.

"We would put someone in there to get them started, but it would need someone from the local community to keep it going.