YOUNGSTERS in a former pit village have been busy mapping up out the future of their community.

Durham City Council and the West Rainton and Leamside Community Partnership are asking people at West Rainton what improvements and facilities they would like to see in the village.

Survey forms have been sent out to adults but children and teenagers were asked to visit Arden House and view a large-scale polystyrene map of West Rainton and stick little flags in it with their suggestions for facilities and where they should be located.

City council community development worker Carol Brown said: "The council has its Flourishing Communities Fund and is selling off non-strategic sites in the village. The council has ring-fenced the money for projects in the village.

"We did a survey of adults and wanted to get a clear picture of what youngsters wanted, but there is no way they would fill in a long-winded survey. This is the best way of getting their views.''

She said a BMX track, a skate park and a swimming pool were the most popular suggestions.

"There is no way I can get a swimming pool, but I could start a club to going swimming,'' she said.

She added that the council and the partnership would look at the survey results and develop detailed plans.

City councillor Kathleen Carr said; "We are hoping from this consultation exercise we will get a real idea of what the young people would like to see and do in their local area.

"The model is a good way of encouraging them to come along and share their ideas and then, hopefully, we will be able to work together to bring some much-needed facilities to the area."