A GUIDE to County Durham's former pit villages has landed a group of youngsters a prestigious prize.

The Mid Durham Projects Club, based at Gilesgate Community Centre in Durham, won Durham County Council's Youth Work That Works Award.

The youngsters wanted to do something positive for the former mining communities they live in.

They decided to research and publish a guide book that would produce profits for charity.

Out and About in Former Colliery Countryside covers places such as Thornley, Cornsay Colliery, Sacriston and West Rainton.

It includes ten maps with notes to guide walkers to sites of environmental interest.

"Many hours of careful planning and work went into the project and the young people have mastered new skills in the course of their endeavours," said community education officer Dave Emmerson.

"This project demonstrates what young people can achieve when given the opportunity and how their activities can make a positive contribution to the life of their community.''

The group includes Patrick Richardson, Matthew Wood, Mark Robinson, Sarah White, Terry Cook, Kent Walker, Kevin Lonsdale, Christopher Anthony, David Goodwill, Gary Harker, Nicola Fox and Adrian Evans.

Runner-up in the awards was Stanley Youth Centre Saturday Fun Club, for disabled and able-bodied youngsters, which held a Queen Mother's birthday party.

Entries from Fishburn Youth and Community Centre's drama group and Spennymoor Youth Centre were highly commended.

Duke of Edinburgh bronze awards were also presented to 13 youngsters. They were Simon Rowell, Helen Walters, Sarah Wilson, Ann Maria Murray, Craig Eldridge, Darren Young and Andrew Berry, of Fyndoune Community College in Sacriston, also Melanie Savage, Lauren Rutter, Gemma Tate, Rebecca Burns, Mandy Laws, Kathryn Thompson and Anna Whitehouse, of Belmont Community Association.

Robert Robertson, of Aycliffe Young People's Centre, received Durham County Council's Chairman's Award