AN ARMY of volunteers is being recruited to help young people turn over a new leaf after they have fallen foul of the law, as part of a pioneering pilot scheme.

Blackburn with Darwen Council is appealing for citizens of the borough to sit on a new panel that is set to transform the youth justice system.

The council is the only authority in the North West chosen to run the the new youth offender panels on behalf of the Home Office and one of only seven areas in the country to set up the new scheme.

The panels will be managed by the youth offending team but will comprise ordinary people living in the areas where they operate.

Bryan Peake, youth offending team manager, explained: "From June, every young offender in Blackburn and Darwen brought before the magistrates for their first time who admits their offence will be referred to a youth offender panel.

"The panel will work with the offender, their families, the victim of the crime, and other adults who may be able to offer support and guidance, to help put right the harm done and hopefully prevent future offending. The panel will agree a programme of activity with the young offender aimed at tackling the behaviour and preventing re-offending. "For the panel, we are looking for men and women of any age from every ethnic and social background to take on the challenge of tackling youth crime in the community. Panel members do not need any formal qualifications but must live in the borough and have a

degree in common sense.

"Ideally, we are looking for people with good local knowledge and, although there is no age limit, we would be particularly interested in hearing from young adults."

Full training for panel volunteers will be provided.

Blackburn with Darwen's youth offender panel is set to lead the way developing best practice for other local authorities when the scheme is launched across England and Wales in 2002.

Those wishing to take part should contact Neil Brindle, project co-ordinator on 01254 299800 for an information pack.