A PIONEERING scheme to involve youngsters in decision- making will serve as a national example, a conference in the region heard.

Senior Open University research fellow Wendy Rose told an audience of young people and public service representatives at Ramside Hall Hotel, Durham, that the Investing in Children scheme would inspire other counties.

Ms Rose, who was the principal speaker at the conference, said that the Durham County Council and County Durham and Tees Valley initiative would be adapted elsewhere to enable other youngsters to influence services.

The conference highlighted the progress made by young people and public service authorities to lay the foundations for a children's strategy for County Durham.

Helen Swanwick, 17, who chaired the event, said the strategy would look at how health, housing social services, education and leisure could be tailored to meet youngsters' needs.

"Our conference showed how the partnership approach between young people and public services has been taking the lead in achieving that goal," she said.

The county council's chief executive, Kingsley Smith, said: "The conference was an important opportunity for partners in health, local government and the voluntary sector to come together with young people."

Ken Jarrold, chief executive designate of County Durham and Tees Valley Health Authority, said: "I am delighted that young people are leading this important initiative."