YOUNG people have played a key role in a shake-up of youth services.

More than 1,000 young people simultaneously launched 4Youth - Choose It at venues across the county.

It was the culmination of an 18-month consultation on services, in which 4,000 youngsters have been involved.

They were asked for their views on improving facilities, access to services and attitudes towards young people.

The launches at Harrogate, Skipton, Catterick, Pickering, Scarborough and Tadcaster took on a carnival atmosphere.

They featured live bands and music, break-dancing, DJ sessions, banner-making and a video diary to record young people's feedback.

County learning development officer Terry Begley said: "We wanted to identify young people's basic entitlement and the sort of services they would like to see us provide.

"This represents a really important development in youth work in North Yorkshire and will drive what future services look like."

The resulting statement, 4Youth - Choose It, outlines basic expectations for young people, from having their views heard to the provision of games, sports and arts programmes.

Mr Begley said: "We are about to restructure youth services and the next stage is to make what the young people have told us actually happen.

"This has been a real challenge to us all and the young people have responded superbly well."