THE Metro's youth met for a day of action and adventure recently - but there was a serious aim behind the fun.

Over 100 took part in the Young People's Council event, one of the aims of which was to encourage more to join the Young People's Action Groups held all over the borough.

The day included workshops in raft building, balloon making, drama, mask making, poetry and orienteering, with local bands in the evening.

Chris Swift, 14, said: "Events like these are important for young people to express themseves and show their talents. I thought it was good."

Aaron Belshaw, 12, added: "All my friends were going so I thought I would too. I did rafting and it was exciting. We built rafts and took them on the river and got really wet, but it was funny."

Event organiser, youth worker Patrick McAvoy, said: "It was a really good day, a chance for people to try new activities, make new friends and find out what issues affect young people in the different areas."

The next boroughwide Young People's Council meeting is planned for the summer.

Every month Young People's Councils meet in each area of the borough to talk about issues that they face.

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