YOUNG people in rural county Durham have been given an opportunity to help shape the future of Teesdale after meeting with key figures in the district.

Nearly 50 young people, aged 13 to 19, took part in a consultation exercise over two days to put forward their views on the Community Strategy Framework for the Local Strategic Partnership (LSP).

The strategy will provide a blueprint for Teesdale for the next 20 years, and Keith Jones, Education in the Community Worker for Teesdale Community Resources, felt it was vital young people had their say.

"At the end of the day they are going to be the people who are paying for it in 20 years' time. There's been such a lack of investment in young people over the past 20 years," he said.

On the first day the youngsters met representatives from bodies involved in community safety, economic development and tourism and housing.

The issues that arose out of these discussion were then put to the members of the partnership.

Issues raised included the need for a place for young people to meet, a need for affordable housing, more money spent on young people rather than tourists, and improvements to public transport.

Sarah Jane Watson, 18, from Barnard Castle, said: "I think the event has been really worthwhile, and I got the impression people were really taking on board what we had to say."

Charles Anderson, chief executive of Teesdale District Council, attended the second day.

He said: "Conventional methods of getting young people involved in the democratic process are not always appropriate. We can't expect them to be comfortable in a 'suits' environment.

"It was quite refreshing today to have the views of young people put to us by them. Now we will try to make sure the information that we have been given today finds its way into the LSP process.