YOUNGSTERS fed up of being moved on by police hope to have solved the problem - they have bought a youth shelter.

The teenagers from Gilesgate, Durham, have spent the last two years raising £14,000 and on Friday, May 2, the shelter will be officially opened.

Research by the City of Durham Community Safety Partnership revealed that teenagers in Gilesgate had nowhere to meet so they gathered in the street.

But residents often called police who would move the youngsters on.

This resulted in the problem being moved around instead of solving it.

Three youngsters, Angela Eyre, Gary Harker and Amanda Dixon, decided to do something about it.

They formed a group called Changeforce and set to work.

Julie Scurfield, deputy manager for the North Durham Youth Offending Team, said: "They have worked with enthusiasm, commitment and total determination to change things for the better for young people in Gilesgate.

"They researched youth shelter facilities in Oxford and Edinburgh and spoke to young people in these areas to find out how the shelter has worked for them.

"Afterwards they held two open meetings and invited local residents of the Gilesgate and Belmont area to come and hear of their ideas and consult with them about the proposed shelter."

Pat Hill, of Education in the Community, which helped them, said: "It has been a monumental effort.

"As well as working hard to raise the £14,000 needed to pay for the project, they helped with the design and location of the shelter."

The shelter, at Moorfield, Sunderland Road, Gilesgate Moor, also attracted funding from the community safety partnership, youth offending service and the county, city and parish councils.