A GROUP of youngsters has added a new dimension to their sports changing rooms.

The youngsters, aged 15-18, gave a complete makeover to part of the changing rooms building at the King George V Playing Fields, off Miers Avenue, Hartlepool, during the summer break.

Their hard work has turned two spare rooms into a meeting room/sitting room and kitchen, for use by themselves and other local youngsters.

They also aim to sell refreshments to players and spectators when the playing fields are in use for sports events. The rest of the rooms will still be used as changing rooms.

The six youngsters, some from Henry Smith School, in the town, worked with the detached youth project team (DYPT), which helps young people to develop a sense of social responsibility and make informed choices about their lives.

Helped by the DYPT, and funded by the North Hartlepool Single Regeneration Budget Partnership, the youngsters identified that they needed a place to meet and work on community projects.

From this sprang the idea of sprucing up the vacant space at the changing rooms.

Once they were given the go-ahead from Hartlepool Borough Council, which owns the building, they applied to the Prince's Trust for funding, and gained a grant of £11,000 under the Trust's Millennium Award Scheme.

As part of the Millennium Award Scheme, the youngsters also took part in training courses at the West View advice and resource centre in Miers Avenue, gaining qualifications in first aid, food hygiene and health and safety.

Clive Hill, the DYPT leader, said yesterday: "The young people have put a lot of work into refurbishing the rooms, and they can be justly proud of the results. They have worked as a great team.

"Everyone is also very grateful to the Prince's Trust for its generous funding, without which the project would not have got off the ground."

Dave Wise, a Prince's Trust representative, said: "The Prince's Trust thought this was a very worthwhile project and the young people deserved our support."