YOUNG people in Hartlepool were encouraged to write graffiti on a wall in the town last week.

The "vandalism" was part of a project by the Hartlepool Children's Fund partnership to discover what young people thought of services for them in the area.

Parents were also invited to the graffiti wall at the Hartlepool Historic Quay.

Drama and art workshops also helped the youngsters come up with their ideas about their future in the town.

The partnership is part of the Government's children's fund programme, which aims to help young people and their families get the best out of life by promoting positive attitudes towards education and life.

It also gives them a chance to play a role in how services should be developed.

The work, is supported by the Children's Fund team, which is the Children and Young People's Unit presence in the area.