Teenagers in Haxby and Wigginton are showing the disruptive minority that having fun and causing trouble do not have to go hand-in-hand.

Alex Holden, 17, of Longcroft, Wigginton, decided to try to improve the reputation of youngsters in the area and provide them with somewhere to enjoy themselves by organising a disco for about 150 people between the ages of 15 and 18.

The event, held in the Methodist Church hall in Oaken Grove, Haxby, was a resounding success.

The tough line police are taking against the drunken behaviour of young people in Haxby and Wigginton and other parts of York has been highlighted in the Evening Press.

Alex, a York College pupil, and his friends Owen Clarke, Lee Mahon, Peter Cruickshank and Stuart Brooks, who organised the event, were keen to try to counter this negativity.

Alex said: "The idea was to provide something to keep kids off the streets really.

"I got the idea about three months ago because there were loads of people hanging round the streets without anything to do.

"So we thought it would be best to organise a party and it was quite successful."

News of the event spread at Joseph Rowntree School and York College by word of mouth and Alex informed the police to make sure there was no trouble.

Sergeant Mark Golding, of Clifton Moor police station, said: "We were aware of this party and had passing patrols.

"PC Sean Ryder, the community officer, put out a brief saying this party had been arranged and the information had come from the lads who organised it and we had no bother whatsoever.

"With Alex co-operating with us and telling us what was going on and the likely numbers attending it has certainly been a good thing and that is to be applauded."

Alex's father David also applauded their work.

He said: "They all went along and managed to enjoy themselves without any aggro.

"It just shows that they're not all bad."

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