WHILE parents, teachers and police worry about bored youngsters up to no good in the summer holidays, one group of girls on a tough north Durham estate have been quietly proving them all wrong.

For 12-year-old Samantha Watkins and her four friends, from Chester-le-Street's Avenues Estate, decided it would be a good idea to give fellow teenagers in the area something fun but constructive to do.

So successful have the 12 to 15-year-olds been in establishing an after-schools community group, called the Avenues Crew, that they have received a national award.

The youngsters picked up the North-East, Yorkshire and Borders area Voluntary Endeavour Award - along with a plaque and £100 worth of vouchers - in the under-18s category at a ceremony in the Copthorne Hotel, Newcastle, earlier this week.

They now have a chance of representing the region in the national awards, at the House of Commons, in London, in October.

But Samantha and her friends are keeping their feet on the ground and simply plan to keep the group going and give younger children on the estate something to do over the long summer break.

"The Avenues Crew gives me something worthwhile to do, and it's nice to help with younger children and their families," was all Samantha said when she collected the award on behalf of the group on Tuesday.

But community workers in the area and the awards judges were full of praise for the girls' efforts.

A judges' spokesman said: "This group has met two nights a week, weekends and through school holidays since January 1999 to organise community activities.

"Prior to this, young people on their estate had been stereotyped as criminals and drug users and were accused of displaying anti-social behaviour.

"The girls have worked towards changing this view through activities including parties, fun days, activity days and trips.

"Despite having faced ridicule, abuse and criticism from peers and adults, this group has continued to be committed to its work."

This is the third year that the Voluntary Endeavour awards have been run by the Nationwide Building Society, the National Council for Voluntary Organisations and the Newspaper Society