Young Advisors* in Portsmouth save their park...

Young Advisors in Portsmouth, frustrated about the closure of a local park due to vandalism, have set about bringing their community together to restore it to its former glory.

Vandals repeatedly targetted the children's park on Butterfly Drive, Paulsgrove, ripping out fence posts and gates. The damage got so bad the whole area had to be sealed off and play equipment removed about three years ago.

Young Advisors Xanthe Cahill (16), Jodie Robinson (16) and Bethanie Kirby (15) highlighted the park as a key community issue, and collected hundreds of signatures as a community call for action.

The Young Advisors are full of ideas about what should go in the park. And are already working up plans of what should be included, and from where they hope to gain funding.

Bethanie said 'Fortunately the youths that were causing the vandalism are no longer in the area, so any repairs should last.' Jodie added 'The children are playing football in the street which is extremely dangerous. Ideally we would like to see an off-road area for football as well as play equipment for younger children.'

Xanthe said 'Residents have signed a petition and we have the support of the police and the housing association in what we're hoping to achieve'. Their local councillor, David Horne is fully supportive of their work to date and said 'It is so lovely seeing young people in Paulsgrove taking an active part in their community and getting results'.

* Portsmouth Young Advisors, whilst branded Youth Advisers are part of the national Young Advisors Programme.