YOUNG people will have the chance to run their own youth club at Lyppard Community Centre in a bid to ease the problems caused by teenagers in Warndon Villages.

But members of Warndon Parish Council acknowledged it would not solve all the problems experienced by residents - including verbal abuse, graffiti, vandalism and even arson.

Parish council member with responsibility for community affairs, Frank Lauriello, who also sits on the board of the Lyppard Community Centre, said young people would be involved in a forum giving them the supervised power to run the club their own way.

"Hopefully this will give them some sense of responsibility," said Mr Lauriello.

"However, that's not going to solve all the problems in the area."

The project has been spearheaded by Worcestershire county councillor John Buckley, who Mr Lauriello praised for his hard work.

"We have a problem with youths in the area, no doubt about it, and residents are very, very concerned," said Mr Lauriello at last night's parish council meeting.

However, new St Martin's councillor Lucy Hodgson said last week's sentencing of "old Warndon" trouble-maker Sarah Martin to four years in custody might act as a warning to other youths.

"Maybe the case last week will make them realise what can happen," said Coun Hodgson.

Parish council clerk Les Bishop pointed to the Evening News article about the damage done to The Green Centre in Dines Green as a warning.

"That's what kids seem to want to do," said parish council member David Eastwood. "Be destructive and not constructive."

Mr Lauriello said the club was one step but the solution to the problems of youths causing trouble in the streets still remained a mystery.

He said there had been reports of vandals attacking cars in the Tesco car park over the weekend when the store is not open 24 hours.

"Whatever activities you put on you are not going to get these vandals who damage cars in Tesco's to take part," said parish council member Andrew Philpott.

The new youth club will open in three weeks.

"We'll have to see what happens in summer during the holidays," said Mr Lauriello. "That will be the real acid test."

n What do you think? Should we be encouraging youngsters to play a part in the community? E-mail your views to: letters@thisisworcester. co.uk, or write to Voice of Worcester, Evening News, Hylton Road, Worcester, WR2 5JX.