COLLEGE students have been praised for their efforts in helping to tackle nuisance in their village.

The 10-strong group teamed up with police for a project aimed at solving the problem of anti-social behaviour in Croston.

The students, from Bishhop Rawstorne CE College, questioned youngsters and adults in the village, discovering that both age groups had different perceptions of juvenile nuisance.

But both agreed on one thing -- that young people needed a place to meet with their friends. And so the idea of a youth shelter was born.

Working closely with Croston Parish Council and local residents, a site for the shelter was identified and a successful bid was made to the Education and Business Partnership for £2,000.

Now there are plans to develop the scheme further to include landscaping and a play area.

Funds of around £30,000 have been pledged and the Lancashire Partnership against Crime has also agreed to provide further cash.

PC Eileen Chester, the officer who first got the youngsters involved, said: "They have all worked extremely hard on this initiative.

"As a result everybody now has an understanding of the various problems, and happily, young and old alike are now working in partnership rather than being at odds with each other."

The work put in by the teenagers so impressed Lady Shuttleworth, the High Sheriff of Lancashire that she submitted it to the National Crimebeat Awards 2000 where it was highly commended.

Now Lady Shuttleworth has handed over a certificate commemorating the achievement.