WHILE some youths in the country’s cities are currently causing mayhem, teenagers in one Northumberland town are only interested in smashing up stereotypes.

The reputation of young people may have taken a battering following the riots over the past few days, but a group of 14 to 18-year-olds in Amble have undoubtedly done their bit to shatter generalisations.

A team of teenagers has spent the last two years working on a project which will benefit the whole town. They are now set to launch the AmbleGPX project, described as “an online game based in the real world”.

The game involves picking up clues from a website via a smartphone, and then searching the town for the answers.

The team has worked with Amble Development Trust, local businesses and experts to create the game, which is set to benefit both residents and visitors by allowing them to learn more about the community and have fun at the same time.

The young people involved are also hoping it will help restore a bit of balance to popular opinion about youths.

Laura Park, 18, said: “Getting rid of that negative stereotype people have of teenagers is definitely the main thing. (We are) getting involved in a project like this to help the community.

“We are enthusiastic about the community and the project as well and how we can help.” Andrew Mounsey, 15, a student at James Calvert Spence College’s Acklington Road campus, agreed that the group’s efforts could help tackle generalisations of youngsters.