YOUTH leaders on a Bolton project have been told to carry on their good work in a personal letter from Tony Blair.

The Prime Minister wrote from Number 10 to praise the work being done by the Lottery funded Youthopia project on Johnson Fold.

He says it is exactly the kind of work the Government wants to see in deprived areas all over the country.

He has passed on information about Youthopia to the Government think tank looking at ways of reaching disaffected young people.

He said: "I was pleased to learn of the very positive and constructive work being undertaken by you and your colleagues on the Youthopia project.

"It is precisely this sort of locally based approach which we believe will be successful in regenerating our most deprived areas.

"Only by working with the community - as you are doing - and getting them involved, can we bring about successful and sustainable regeneration."

A recent annual report revealed how the project had helped cut crime on the estate and was encouraging youngsters to become involved in education.

MP Ruth Kelly was so impressed she passed on the report to Downing Street staff who showed it to the Prime Minister.

Youthopia project leader Julia Spencer said she was delighted to receive the letter from Mr Blair and put the project's success down to the multi-agency approach to tackling problems.

She said: "We were delighted because it wasn't just a thank you for getting in touch letter.

"He has obviously taken time to look at the report and his response is very positive and encouraging."

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