TEENAGERS behind a scheme to distribute night-out safety packs to 16-year-olds in Bolton are in the running for a national award.

Zaman Kala, aged 18, his brother Zaeem, aged 17, and their cousin Sufiyan Kala, aged 15, were shortlisted for a Philip Lawrence Award, which recognises outstanding achievements in citizenship by young people, by the youth service.

The trio, from Daubhill, developed the Safe Night Out pack, which contains a drink spike tester, a drink stopper and a condom, as well as an 0800 Reverse number in case of emergencies and a leaflet featuring tips on how to stay safe.

The kits are now being distributed by professionals in youth care, such as youth workers, teenage pregnancy workers and drugs advisors.

The boys, all members of Sunninghill Youth Club, came up with the idea for the packs after arranging Bolton's Bin the Binge conference in April.

They saw the problems associated with high levels of drinking among young people, such as out-of-control behaviour, accidents, violence, unplanned pregnancy and diseases.

After the pack was successfully trialled in Rumworth, £12,000 was granted to the project team by The Children's Fund to take the campaign across the borough.

The brothers worked with the council's marketing agency, a local design company and design students to develop the pack into a discreet giveaway.

Zaman, who is a student at the University of Central Lancashire as well as a member of the project team, said: "We were very surprised, but really pleased when we found out about the award nomination.

"We came up with the idea as we felt that more should be done to raise concern about the problems associated with nights out and drinking, and wanted to raise awareness to young people of some of the dangers around."

The team was supported by a number of organisations in the borough, including Bolton Council, the Youth Service, the police and the Primary Care Trust.

To launch the giveaway last week, drama performances and workshops were staged at the Town Hall which highlighted the problems of binge drinking.

Councillor Linda Thomas, Bolton Council's executive member for children's services, said: "The boys should be highly commended for all their hard work in getting this fantastic idea off the ground, and thoroughly deserve their award nomination.

"This project is a perfect example of how well an idea can work when a number of different people and organisations come together to drive it forward. I know Safe Night Out will benefit lots of young people in the area."

The Philip Lawrence Awards recognise young people aged 11 to 20 who make a difference to their lives or those of others by building confidence, promoting safety or reducing crime.

They are given in memory of Philip Lawrence, headteacher of a school in North London, who was murdered in 1995 as he tried to protect at 13-year-old pupil.