SCHOOLCHILDREN are being asked to sign up to an agreement promising to be well behaved.

About 500 teenagers at one Middlesbrough comprehensive school were yesterday invited to put their names to a charter promising not to get involved in anti-social behaviour, or drop litter, daub graffiti, light fires or cause a nuisance; and be respectful to residents and those in authority.

The children involved attend the town's King Manor School.

Middlesbrough Borough Council's housing respect team has been visiting the school on a weekly basis to deliver the project to pupils in years seven, eight and nine.

A spokeswoman for the multiagency umbrella organisation, Safer Middlesbrough Partnership, said that if after evaluation, the pilot scheme at the school is judged to have been a success, it will be rolled out to secondary schools across the borough.

And pupils attending those schools will be asked to sign similar Community Respect Agreements.

The scheme, called Anti-Social Behaviour Know The Score! encourages young people to make the right decisions about their behaviour both in school and the wider community.

The course highlights the consequences of anti-social behaviour incorporating examples of enforcement action that can be taken against those who cause gang nuisance, motorcycle nuisance or become involved in drugs.

Andy Shippey, Middlesbrough Council housing enforcement officer and project leader said: "This project is designed to challenge the young people's perception of anti-social behaviour by focusing on how the victims feel as well as pointing out that if anti-social behaviour occurs, those involved will face enforcement action."

Maureen Higgins, family liaison officer at Kings Manor, said the project had already had a positive effect on attendance and behaviour in the school.

She said of the project: "It raises awareness in the school about the whole respect issue. I think it raises their awareness of what adults expect from them. It raises awareness of what we want from them.'' Mrs Higgins added: "Every school has the same issues to a lesser or greater extent. I think all schools can benefit.'' Acting Inspector Mark Hall of Cleveland Police said: "The response from this project has been very encouraging from the students, teachers and our partners in Middlesbrough Council. This is yet another project involving various agencies to address the issues of crime and anti-social behaviour."