A GROUP of teenagers is leading the way in efforts to provide a youth centre for their town.

They have been travelling far and wide to gather information for a feasibility study which will be presented to officials in Northallerton later this summer.

The group of 18 - from Northallerton College, the Allertonshire School and school leavers - have been to Edinburgh, Harrogate, Knaresborough and Thirsk to see the types of youth clubs that have been set up, how they came into being and how well they serve the needs of youngsters.

"We still have to go to Ripon, Bolton and London," said youth worker Emma Casson, who is leading the Youth Base project, funded by the county council's community education department and Connexions, a £450m Government project launched in 2001, offering advice and guidance to young people.

"Although there have been youth projects and a survey before, this is the first time young people have done this sort of wide-ranging study in Northallerton," she said.

The study is the latest step in the drive to provide facilities for young people in Northallerton.

A youth club used to meet in the basement of the town hall until it flooded.

When complete, probably towards the end of July, the study will be presented to the county council, town council and police, as well as church and community leaders. It is expected to say what young people want, and to address the funding needed to provide those facilities.

Two of the students, Lindsey Harrison and Caroline Kidd, said the group had fantastic support in Northallerton, where it meets regularly.

"One of our meetings was attended by town councillors, church leaders, the police and community agencies," said Miss Harrison.

Miss Kidd said: "Some of us also met the mayor of Northallerton, Councillor Tony Hall, to discuss what young people in the district need and how to achieve it.

"From this meeting, we were approached with the idea of a temporary cinema and offered use of part of the town hall."