A TEENAGE American pop star criticised rapper Eminem when she met youngsters to warn them off taking drugs.

Country and pop singer Ashley Jay, 16, from Los Angeles met about 30 youngsters at Consett's Empire theatre, on Saturday, as well as community policemen, youth workers and drug workers.

The teenagers heard Miss Jay talk about her involvement in a drug awareness programme in America and about 400 people attended her show at the Empire on Saturday night.

Marketing officer at Derwentside District Council Sue Fox said that the convention had gone very well.

"It was really worthwhile. We had been worried that there would be a poor turn-out, especially given the atrocious weather," she said.

"We didn't do it through schools or anything like that because we wanted teenagers to come on their own initiative.

"She connected very well with them and told of how she had a friend who had had problems with drugs and became brain damaged.

"One of the youngsters asked her about Eminem and she said it was a real shame that he wasn't using his position to give a more positive message on issues like drugs."