CREAT IVE youngsters will have a brush with the law when they decorate a wall with the help of a professional graffiti artist.

The project, led by Cleveland Police, involves a group of 12 young people who are transforming a large wall at Norton Community Centre, in Stockton, alongside designer Graham Clelland.

The 11 to 15-year-olds are also planning to paint a garden scene mural for the nearby Cherry Tree Lodge Nursing Home as a gift to its residents.

PC Avril Dimelow, from Norton Neighbourhood Policing Team, said the aim of the project was to help to improve the children's skills, boost their selfesteem and deter them from anti-social behaviour.

"This is a fantastic and really inspirational project for them to be involved in and the first time that many of them have been involved in anything like this.

"The community centre is a really popular venue and the mural will complement the room with art that has been produced by local youngsters."

The policing team received support and funding for the six-week initiative from Tristar Housing, Tees Valley Housing, the Youth Services Prevention Team, Endeavour Housing Association, Norton Cooperative, the Police Confidence Fund and B&Q in Portrack Lane, Stockton.

Tracy Fraser, from Endeavour Housing Association, said: "It is a key aim for us to engage with young people and this creative and artistic initiative will help us to do that."