THE Deputy Chief Constable of Durham Police shared his thoughts on capital punishment, gangs and the purpose of policing with students at a lunchtime youth church group.

Michael Banks was special guest at Inspire, the club hosted by the RE department at Longfield Academy and run by the Darlington Area Churches Youth Ministry to encourage young people to discuss topics affecting the world today.

The students spent more than an hour questioning Mr Banks, who said: "I was really impressed with the depth and breadth of the questions posed by the students, they have obviously thought through issues relating to crime and punishment and the moral dilemmas of modern policing. Their opinions on criminality and disorder were insightful and perceptive."

Martin Stand, project director of Darlington Area Churches Youth Ministry, said: "We were so grateful to the Deputy Chief Constable for giving up some of his valuable time to come and meet the students we work with each week at Longfield Academy.

"It is not everyday young people are given the opportunity to ask any question they like to a senior member of the local police force.

"Michael, as a practising Christian, was not only able to answer their questions from the perspective of a high ranking police officer but also from a moral and ethical viewpoint. I am sure his visit to Inspire would have both informed and inspired students in all aspects of modern day policing."

The Inspire group has been run for four years by Darlington Area Churches Youth Ministry. Students discuss a range of topics including sexism, poverty, racism and the work of Christian Aid.