YOUNGSTERS from areas of Nelson are hoping to get involved in making decisions on their future.

The youths attended a meeting to discuss youth nuisance and what could be done to tackle it, which was held at Williams Hall Community Centre, this week.

Residents, local councillors and police community support officer Fiona Hall, who organised the meeting, agreed that the children should be allowed a voice.

And they and encouraged them to bring their parents along to the next meeting to help organise the committee to discuss the activities provided for them in the Marsden and Southfield wards.

PSCO Hall said: "We got a good positive response from those that turned up, although we would have liked to have seen more people attend. It was agreed that we need to find out about venues and areas which could be turned into play areas or kick-about sites.

"The meeting was about getting to know people and at the next meeting, the date of which has still to be confirmed, we hope to set up a committee. We want to get the children involved with it because at the end of the day it is for their benefit. It was good that they got their voices heard. I have spoken to social services since the meeting about a possible venue we have got in mind for youngsters but which won't be available for about 12 months. In the meantime we need a venue to use temporarily."

Marsden councillor Dorothy Ormrod said she was impressed with the attitudes of the young people who attended and said the meeting was positive.

She said: "The most positive thing that came out of the meeting was the young people turning up. They spoke very well about what they would like, suggesting their should be somewhere to play football and snooker.

"Towards the end of the meeting they were asked if they would help us out on the committee which they said would like to do. They got into groups afterwards talking about it to Fiona and the Lancashire County Council youth worker.

"They are prepared to do something to help. It won't all happen immediately. It will probably be for the younger children who will be the next teenagers coming up.

"The councillors and Fiona will try to find any council land available. The problem in Southfield is there isn't a lot of land. They wanted something within ten to 15 minutes walk away. If we find somewhere we can look into money pots available."