THE fact that so many people turned out in pouring rain yesterday to pay their respects to Lee Mullis and Stuart Adams shows how popular the two boys were and how deeply their deaths have touched the people of Darlington.

The closing words of the Reverend Graham Morgan at yesterday's funeral service will also resonate throughout the town and further afield.

It was a powerful message: "We have failed our young people," he said, and called on the local community to unite to improve the quality of life for our children.

The argument that the railway accident was the result of inadequate facilities for young people, that the younger generation does not have enough to do, has divided opinion.

Many will find it difficult to understand how that can be the case, arguing that there is no shortage of things for youngsters to do. Indeed, Lee was heavily involved in golf and Stuart was a valued member of his local football team.

But the fact remains that large gangs of young people are gathering on the streets and - in the case of the youngsters on that fateful Good Friday night - around a railway line.

Whether we like it or not, there is therefore a problem and the local community has a duty to at least try to address it. It must come together to:

* Hammer home the message about the danger of railways.

* Promote safe activities and facilities for young people.

* Root out the minority of shopkeepers who are selling alcohol to children.

The Northern Echo will be playing its part in the hope that - as Mr Morgan said - some good may come of this tragedy.