THE new chief executive of Darlington Borough Council yesterday pledged that addressing youth issues will be one of her key priorities.

Ada Burns took up the post after leaving her previous position as neighbourhood renewal director for the London borough of Greenwich.

And she has already been made aware of the lack of youth provision in Darlington.

The problem was highlighted by the deaths of teenagers Lee Mullis, 14, and Stuart Adams, 15, on the East Coast Main Line in the town on Good Friday.

Their deaths led to renewed calls for more activities to be made available for young people in the town, particularly at the weekend.

It also sparked the No Messin' campaign - a partnership between The Northern Echo and Network Rail - which aims to highlight the dangers of railway crime and promote positive activities for young people.

Yesterday, Ms Burns said the issue had become a major national talking point.

"This was a really awful tragedy, but it is helpful that the newspaper wants to work closely within the borough in terms of promoting positive activities for children and young people," she said.

"It is a national issue, trying to encourage them to get into activities that are constructive and divert them away from harm or anti-social behaviour and I believe that we, as a council, should be playing our part.

"There are lots of issues surrounding youth provision, parental responsibility and the part that schools and other organisations can play."

The Northern Echo has been promoting activities for children, teenagers and young people throughout the region, publishing lists of events that are being staged over the summer.

The initiative has been strongly supported by the rail industry, as well as the region's MPs, Durham Police, British Transport Police, Darlington Partnership and other community groups.

Darlington Borough Council has also made progress in turning around the fortunes of its youth service, which was criticised by Ofsted inspectors in February.