ST JOHN Ambulance Durham is launching its new Youth Programme this month.

The programme of fun and challenging activities for its members aged from five to 25 years, is the result of three years work and the biggest consultation the organisation has ever undertaken.

Among the new opportunities, the organisation's members can undertake are a set of fun activities for badgers, new projects for its cadets and new developmental challenges for its members aged 16 to 25.

Durham's youth development officer Tony Brewis, a member of the team which developed the programme, said: "We are showing a commitment to investing in young people and continuing as a major UK youth organisation."