A COUPLE fed up with bored young people vandalising a York estate have set up a scheme to keep them occupied and improve behaviour.

Vicky and David Hughes, from the Foxwood estate, are encouraging teenagers to carry out voluntary work and then, depending on their behaviour, are rewarding them with organised activities.

Vicky said: "We have quite a few teenagers on the estate and we had a lot of trouble with properties getting vandalised and last summer the police were down here every night.

"We did not want to have the same summer as last year, so we had a chat with some of the kids and they gave us some ideas."

More than 20 youngsters aged between 11 and 16 have taken part in litter picking and other community events. As rewards they have held rugby matches and last weekend had an Easter egg competition.

The couple are hoping to hold some more ambitious activities once they are more established, such as trips away.

The group is called the Bradford and Northern Community Youth Scheme, because it is linked with the Bradford and Northern Housing Association, which owns the houses on the estate. Vicky said so far it was proving a real success. She said: "It has worked really well, we have had no trouble since we had a chat with the kids and they have been behaving well.

"I have been really impressed and it makes me even more determined to get things pushed along."

The couple, who have three young children of their own, say they were prompted to take action so when their children are teenagers there will be activities for them.

The group is desperately in need of any sports equipment the youngsters can play with. If anyone can help they should contact Vicky on 01904 785457.

Updated: 09:10 Friday, April 25, 2003