YOUNGSTERS in Chandler's Ford have been saluted for helping to build bridges between civic chiefs and the younger generation.

Chandler's Ford Youth Council chairman Andy Heller and treasurer Steph Young were at the latest meeting of the borough council's Chandler's Ford and Hiltingbury local area committee.

They reported on what the youth council had been doing and what projects were in hand - including the provision of skateboarding facilities at Hiltingbury recreation ground, cycle paths in Hiltingbury and Oakmount Roads and development of the youth council's website.

Councillors were also told that the youth council was keen to become involved in next summer's planned Chandler's Ford Festival of Art.

The youngsters' efforts brought universal praise from their senior counterparts.

Thanking them for their help with last summer's Hiltingbury Extravaganza and with consultation over skateboarding facilities, councillor Doreen Wellfare said: "You are really good links between the council, yourselves and the young people of Chandler's Ford. You have done such a lot of work for us already."

She added that she was pleased to recommend a £1,000 grant to the youth council for operational costs plus a further £1,500 grant to set up a grant scheme for youth-based projects.

Councillor Colin Davidovitz said: "We hear so much about the bad things that young people get up to, so it is very refreshing to have representatives here today to show us some of the good things they are doing. There are more good things than bad."

In a report, councillors were told that a youth forum had been in existence in Chandler's Ford since 1998 with the aim of giving a voice to young people in the area.

It met regularly through to the spring of last year but folded as members left the area to pursue further education.

But a new council had been formed from members of the school councils at Thornden and Toynbee schools.