THE chairman of Hartlepool Borough Council has praised youth organisations after paying them a visit at their annual camp.

The 1st Hartlepool Boys Brigade held its 110th annual camp at Castle Howard, where Councillor Carl Richardson called in to see how they were getting on.

Twenty members, along with brigade officers, attended the camp, which lasted for ten days.

Coun Richardson said: "It is great to see young people enjoying themselves and adventures like this help to boost confidence and independence.

"Hartlepool has lots of volunteers like this who give up countless hours of their spare time to help guide young people in the right direction in life.

"Without their contribution, trips like this would just not be possible."