A youth development worker has been appointed to cover Ferryhill for the first time.

The town has wanted a youth worker for years, and a community appraisal identified it as a priority.

Now Beth Storey, a full-time education worker employed by Durham County Council, has started work - and she wants to speak to as many young people as she can.

Ms Storey said most of the ideas about what opportunities could be provided for young people in the town needed to come from the young people themselves.

She said: "I'm speaking to young people through the schools, and through the youth provision that's already there.

"But it takes time to establish relationships with young people to a point where they will tell me what they want and be able to take it on."

She will be holding lunch time drop-in sessions at Ferryhill Comprehensive School.

One of her first jobs will be to establish a steering group of young people, who can take ideas forward themselves.

Ferryhill Town Council is providing administrative support. Executive officer Jamie Corrigan said: "There's been a black hole in youth support, and people have been asking for a youth worker."

Ms Storey is open to new ideas. and anyone can contact her on (01740) 652157.