TEENAGERS who performed a DIY make-over to banish boredom have won a top award for their efforts.

A team of five girls from the Phoenix Centre in Prestwich picked up a trophy and £400 - half of which is to go to charity - as Bury divisional winners in the Greater Manchester Police Make a Difference competition.

More than 6,000 young people took part in the MAD scheme which aims to tackle crime and disorder problems, often associated with youths hanging about on the streets. As reported recently, the Phoenix team was announced as divisional winners for their project which aims to try and get more teenagers to use the drop-in centre in St Mary's playing fields. Concerned by under-age drinking, they carried out a survey to find the cause and the answer given by most teenagers was the same - boredom.

They then decided to make the Phoenix Centre more welcoming by decorating the inside in bold, vibrant colours and designated one room to be for teenagers only! Discos and theme nights are planned and the one rule is that no alcohol is allowed. Police youth development officer for Bury, PC Helen Tildesley, said: "The team has worked very hard on making the Phoenix Centre an exciting place for local youngsters to go to socialise and relax.

"The changes to the youth centre are already proving to be very successful and it is attracting three times more teenagers than before.

"Due to the number of teenagers who used to drink on the streets in this area, there was a litter problem. The group cleared this up and, as a result of the centre being used regularly, it is no longer a real concern. The locals are now beginning to view the teenagers in a more favourable light, creating a happier community."

Converted for the new archive on 14 July 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.