NEWCASTLE United player Sammi Ameobi has been joined by students to rap about the impact anti-social behaviour and criminal damage has on their communities.

The striker met teenagers from Tanfield School and North Durham Academy in Stanley, County Durham, as part of a scheme to reduce youth nuisance in the town.

It is part of a venture funded by Stanley town Council with Amer Sheikh, a chemistry teacher at Thornhill School in Sunderland who raps with the school’s hip hop group The Word.

The group has been reformed into a new line-up to include singers and dancers from the Stanley schools and it performed three shows at Stanley Civic Hall on Thursday and Friday.

The council’s community development manager, James Harper, said: "Stanley Town Council is committed to providing a safe environment for the residents of Stanley and helping towards public confidence within our community.

“As a front-line authority we believe positive engagement of this type is crucial for our young people and the future for Stanley."

The main theme of the free show was anti-social behaviour, but it also highlighted the issues of environmental crime, criminal damage, anti-racism, bullying, respect for difference and achieving goals in life.

Amer Sheikh said “Our aim is to inspire young people to follow their dreams and goals, using positive rap music.

“We hope that our audiences will relate to the music and take on board the messages we are delivering about behaviour and how it impacts on their communities.”