A SCHEME to find out what bored teenagers want to keep them out of trouble has been hailed a success.

Durham County Council last year launched an attack on what it called the "carrier bag culture'' of youngsters drinking and taking drugs on village street corners.

It was promoted by the problems experienced in former mining villages in East Durham such as Haswell, Wheatley Hill and Thornley.

Teenagers congregated in churchyards, woodland and fields with plastic bags filled with cheap alcohol and drugs.

The council decided to try to tackle the problem and set up a working group last March.

It included councillors, police and representatives of the health authority, the youth offending service, youth and community workers and some youngsters.

One of the measures it has taken is to launch a bus to take youngsters from Wheatley Hill, Thornley and neighbouring villages to discos in Blackhall.

The group is now looking to lease a property in Wheatley Hill where a youth club or youth gathering could be held, organising sports and games, and providing an allotment.

Today the council's overview and scrutiny committee will be asked to consider whether the east Durham scheme could be extended to other parts of the county.

Head of overview and scrutiny Ian Mackenzie said in a report: "By seeking to build up a dialogue with young people, there is the possibility of involving them and providing facilities which can then be much more sustainable in terms of having an impact on their lives.

"The outcome is often not one which is initially anticipated by the organisations involved.

"The opportunity to bring relevant parties together with young people is not easy but perhaps can be delivered on a local community basis without the need for the intensive involvement of a member working group.''

Mr Mackenzie said talking with young people offered the prospect "of a more sustainable approach to divert young people from anti-social activity''. He said it would lead to a more fulfilling lifestyle and provided a "reminder that all young people are citizens with the right to be involved in decisions affecting their lives.

"The young people of Wheatley Hill have demonstrated the valuable contribution that young people can make to our communities,'' he said.