Dunmow teenagers could have somewhere to go in the evenings following the launch of a working party to look into their needs.

The Teen City Working Party was unveiled at the last Dunmow Town Strategy Group meeting and will assess ways of providing leisure facilities for youngsters in the town centre.

"We've done quite a lot for old people in Dunmow, but not much for youngsters," said strategy group chairman, Frank Silver.

"You see a lot of teenagers hanging around the high street at night time and it's really quite pathetic."

The initial idea is for a venue which doubles an American-style milk/coffee bar with pool and table tennis tables and dart boards, plus computer equipment for youngsters if they want to do their homework. Mr Silver said the working party hoped funding for such a scheme would be forthcoming.

"I think we could get a grant from the government and such a project has also been earmarked for funding by Uttlesford District Council in the year 2001," he added.

The working party includes representatives from the strategy group, the town council and Dunmow Action For Teenagers, who have earned praise for pioneering the skate park at the recreation ground.

Converted for the new archive on 19 November 2001. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.