MORE than 2,000 youngsters from across Teesside are to take part in a celebration of youth next month.

Young people are to perform music, drama, dancing, films and art during Hartlepool's first youth arts festival.

The town will be taken over by performances, exhibitions, street displays and other events over from Saturday, June 21, to Sunday, June 29.

Called Word of Mouth, the festival is a celebration of the creativity of young people, aged between 12 and 24, from Hartlepool and around the Tees Valley.

Organised by Hartlepool Borough Council's arts, museums and events service, the festival has also received the backing of local organisations including The Studio, Hartlepool Football Club, Middleton Grange Shopping Centre and TFM Radio.

New Deal for Communities, Warner Village Cinemas and Hartlepool Children's Fund are also giving their support.

Stuart Drummond, Mayor of Hartlepool, said: "Young people are our future and they're a real hive of creativity and enthusiasm. I'm absolutely thrilled that the town is organising and hosting this important festival, which will celebrate the great variety of talent which our youngsters possess.

"Though the focus is on young people, I'm sure there will be plenty of sparkling entertainment in store for people of all ages."

The highlight of the festival is expected to be a day-long street party on the second Saturday, in and around Church Square and Victory Square.

Events will include an outdoor stage with live bands, street theatre, performances in the Town Hall Theatre, a mural painting workshop in Middleton Grange Shopping Centre, and drumming sessions in Church Square.

The festival will open with an exhibition of art at the town's art gallery and the final of a Battle of the Bands competition at The Studio.

There will also be a programme of events by national artists including comic Reg Hunter and poet Lemn Sissay, an open air performance of Romeo and Juliet, and African drumming and dance by Black Umfolosi.

For more details on the festival, call (01429) 869706.