YOUNG people will be able to take part in a prestigious awards scheme after a funding package was agreed.

Youngsters living in the Framwellgate Moor and Newton Hall areas of Durham City will be able to take part in the Duke of Edinburgh Award scheme.

The funding will pay for equipment used to take part in the awards scheme, run locally by Durham City Centre Youth Project.

Durham Area Action Partnership is to put £5,000 into the scheme with local councillors Amanda Hopgood, Mamie Simmons and Mark Wilkes contributing another £1,156 each from their local budgets.

Youth worker Ashleigh Downey said: "The Duke of Edinburgh Award is a widely recognised award, sought after by both employers and higher education establishments.

"We have witnessed the massive difference the scheme makes to the young people who complete it; they gain confidence, independence and self-esteem while developing life skills such as team work, cookery, navigation and problem solving".

Awards scheme sessions will take place at Newton Hall Community Centre every Monday at 6pm.

Anyone interested in further information should email dccyouthproject@yahoo.co.uk or call Ashleigh Downey on 0191-383-2819.