A BOOKLET has been designed to help Darlington schoolchildren through their teenage years.

Young people have played a key role in designing the booklet, which has been produced by Darlington's Teenage Pregnancy Partnership Board.

Three groups of teenagers have worked with graphic designer John Dunne, of Use Use Ltd, to make Safe Zone as appealing to young people as possible.

The publication is designed for 13 to 19-year-olds and was officially launched at Longfield School.

More than 2,000 booklets will be given to year ten children across the town, as well as students at Darlington College and Queen Elizabeth Sixth Form College.

Safe Zone gives all the information a young person needs to remain happy and healthy.

It covers health, careers, school, and employment services, and provides vital contact numbers.

It addresses relationship issues, bullying, sex, pregnancy, smoking, alcohol and drugs, mental health, eating disorders, abuse and the successful C-Card condom scheme.

Darlington Primary Care Trust sexual health out- reach worker Lesley Hunter said: "There is a mass of information out there but a lot of it is too wordy and unattractive.

"We wanted something that would appeal to young people, so we got them in at the beginning to help design the Safe Zone guide."

Danielle Williamson, of Connexions, added: "It doesn't matter how much information you supply young people, if it doesn't look right they won't even pick it up.

"This is about making the information accessible to them.

"Whatever help they need in the future, the starting point will be picking up a copy of Safe Zone."

Kimberley Smith, 17, said: "I wouldn't have picked up previous booklets.

"This is much more stylish, eye-catching and is full of useful information."