FIRST they tried fishing, now North-East youngsters are being urged to get active and keep out of trouble by going rock climbing.

The new project, initiated by a detective in Durham Police, is being backed by the Durham Agency Against Crime (DAAC), mountaineer Alan Hinkes and long-distance endurance hiker Alistair Wallace.

The project follows DAAC's Get Hooked on Fishing scheme, which is expected to help almost 150 people this year.

The idea is that giving youngsters aged 11 to 16 a sport or pastime to get involved with takes away some of the boredom that would sometimes lead to criminal behaviour.

Get Gripped On Climbing was developed by Detective Constable John Speight, of Consett police.

But DC Speight, who will voluntarily run the scheme on his days off, said it is not open to those who have been involved in crime.

He said: "I've been climbing for over ten years and, as an individual, I felt it was a good sport to involve the kids in. It's very addictive, very exciting and very accessible."

Mr Hinkes and Mr Wallace have agreed to be patrons of the scheme, and attended its launch in Newton Aycliffe yesterday.

Chief Inspector Laz Szomoru, of DAAC, said: "This is a fantastic idea of DC Speight's and once again the private and public sector have worked together in a partnership that has seen a great idea for young people in County Durham and Darlington turned into reality."

The scheme is supported by other organisations including Allcord Climbing World, Berghaus, BP Bravo (Forties Field), Darlington Borough Council, Durham Constabulary, Durham County Council, Glaxo Wellcome and Rock Antics.