SECONDARY school youngsters have put forward their ideas to transform a Victorian park into a 21st Century leisure attraction.

Year eight pupils from Hall Garth School, Middlesbrough, studying information communications technology, have used Middlesbrough Borough Council's £4.5m proposals for Albert Park as a special project.

On Monday, at an informal meeting of councillors and partners of the scheme, the youngsters put forward their ideas.

They have studied the original map of the site and the history of the park in their aim to integrate the past and the future in their proposals.

They have also put out questionnaires both in and out of school to establish what amenities local people would like in Albert Park.

Sue Houghton, the council's Albert Park project director said she had been impressed when the school contacted the council.

She said: "Quite a lot of schools have been involved in the Albert Park project, but the idea for this particular research involving information communication technology came from the school itself.

"I think these youngsters are pretty plucky to be game enough to put a power point presentation together and stand up in front of an audience.

"Of course we will be looking out to see if any of their ideas can be written into the project, which has involved considerable public consultation.

"It will be very interesting to see if any of the suggestions they put forward can enhance the scheme further."