A VILLAGE'S youth club is celebrating after getting an award for its efforts to encourage youngsters to lead more healthy lives.

The Bowburn Youth Project has been awarded the healthy youth work standard by Durham County Council's Education in the Community department and Chester-le-Street Primary Care Trust in recognition of its work.

The project has drawn up a two-year action plan to show its members what they need to do, and it will start by focusing on healthy eating.

To coincide with the action plan, the project has refurbished its kitchen at the D J Evans Youth Centre, and it was officially opened at an event yesterday attended by about 25 members.