Thousands will listen as children air their views

An audio project is under way giving young people the chance to create their own radio programme - and then have it broadcast to thousands.

The Your Voice Your Future initiative is being run by Richmondshire District Council together with the creative agency, Heads Together.

It uses the council's youth strategy as a starting point for youngsters to explore issues important to them, and then hear their work broadcast on local and regional radio.

Over the past couple of weeks, a series of ideas workshops have been held at schools and youth groups across the district.

Youngsters have been encouraged to choose a topic they feel passionately about and then develop a proposal for a radio programme around it.

The proposals will be judged later, with the winning submissions further developed, and ultimately broadcast, to complete the audio project.

"They've approached this project with enthusiasm and creativity," said Sheila Clarke, the district council's champion for young people, .

"Subjects up for discussion have ranged from issues surrounding respect for children, play provision, speed limits outside schools, drug use, rural transport issues and litter.

"The workshops have been inspiring, and I am very much looking forward to seeing the final proposals that are submitted next week, and eventually listening to them on the radio."

Fresh Radio, BBC Radio York and BBC Radio Cleveland will all feature the finished pieces of work in May.

The initiative was launched at Wensleydale School, in Leyburn, last month.

Since then, experts from Heads Together have been working with groups of young people to identify areas of interest that are suitable for development into an audio project.

The youngsters are now working their ideas into a proposal to be considered by the judging panel on Friday, March 17.

The successful groups will then have the rest of March and April to produce their pieces before they are broadcast the following month.