A GOVERNMENT-backed project is hoping to encourage Darlington and Newton Aycliffe youngsters to take up volunteer work.

The Millennium Volunteers project for the two areas won a share of £20m worth of funding earlier this year after a successful bid by the YMCA.

Its aim is to sign up 16 to 24-year- olds as volunteers to help their local communities.

Millennium Volunteers projects, which are being backed nationwide with £48m from the Department for Education and Employment, are already running in areas including Sunderland and Northallerton.

Diane West, Millennium Volunteers coordinator for Darlington and Newton Aycliffe, said: "Youngsters perceive voluntary work as being for middle-aged ladies wheeling trolleys around hospitals. We want to put it over as a fun thing to do. For instance, if people want experience of working with children, we can help set that up for them. Or if they come up with a group project with their friends we will fund it."

Projects include those aimed at helping the environment, acting as disc jockeys in youth clubs, or working in sports coaching.

Volunteers get a certificate to add to their curriculum vitae after 100 hours of voluntary work and an award of excellence after 200 hours.

In Darlington, Millennium Volunteers workers have approached senior schools to get youngsters involved. They also plan to meet local council representatives next month to see how they can get involved. For details contact Diane on (01325) 382672