THEY are used to performing in some of the region's biggest nightclubs, but some of the hottest DJs in the North-East played an entirely different kind of gig.

DJ Motion, otherwise known as Graeme Hogg, MC Ace and MC Tazo, fronted a rave night at Branksome School in Darlington on Friday, as part of a project trying to reduce anti-social behaviour.

The West Side project has been organised by Darlington Police's StreetSafe team.

Every Friday, the police and a team of volunteers put on activities at Branksome School to try to keep children off the streets.

The project was set up after the StreetSafe team identified an anti-social behaviour problem in the Branksome and Cockerton areas of town.

Police discovered there was very little for youngsters to do on a Friday night, which was why they were hanging around the streets in big groups and intimidating residents.

PC Vince Myhan, of the StreetSafe team, said the night had been successful and had seen about 300 teenagers attending the rave.

Other activities which have been staged include beauty therapy, gladiator games and a climbing wall.

Figures show there have been fewer reports of youths causing annoyance on the west side of Darlington on nights when the project operates.

The West Side project is half way through a 16-week pilot. Anyone wishing to volunteer or offer financial support, can call the StreetSafe team organisers on (01325) 346494.