FOUR youth work schemes are battling it out to win a County Durham award.

Durham County Council's Youth Work That Works Awards ceremony will take place next Tuesday and are the culmination of National Youth Work Week.

Sixty-eight groups throughout the county submitted projects for consideration and four have been selected for the award.

They are: Blackhall Youth Centre, Kirk Merrington Youth Club, Quaking Houses Youth Club and Brandon Youth Club.

Community education officer David Emmerson said: "The theme of this year's National Youth Work Week was youth action and all of these projects exemplify young people taking action in their communities."

Blackhall Youth Centre's entry involved young people training to provide play schemes for other youngsters.

Kirk Merrington Youth Club resurrected a village summer fair after a ten-year lapse and attracted more than 500 visitors.

Quaking Houses Youth Club held a community parade and youth carnival while Brandon Youth Club increased the youth activities available in the village.

The winner will be announced at a ceremony in County Hall, in Durham City, when council leader Ken Manton will present the awards.

The winner will receive £125 and a trophy while the runner-up will receive £75 and a certificate.