A COMMUNITY group working to reduce anti-social behaviour and increase leisure facilities for young people has donated £150 to the Back on Track appeal.

John Gordon, chairman of Community Action Newtown in Stourport, said Stourport Hockey Club and Kidderminster and Stourport Athletic club were crucial to young people in Wyre Forest and helped give them purpose and direction.

He explained: "Youngsters need to burn their energy up and if you don't allow them to do that they will take it out in negative ways, causing anti-social behaviour.

"Their energy needs to be channelled positively and sport is the best way to do that. It teaches them discipline and self-control."

When he was chairman of Wyre Forest District Council, Mr Gordon formally opened Stourport Sports Club, along with Olympic gold medallist and former Stourport Hockey club member, Imran Sherwani.

He said the members of Community Action Newtown were unanimous in their decision to donate to the Back on Track appeal and added that member David Millis, a Wyre Forest district councillor, was a referee for Stourport Hockey Club.

He said: "The clubs have suffered from a wanton act of vandalism and you can't let vandals win. These clubs mean a lot to a great deal of people and it is crucial the destroyed equipment is replaced."

He added: "Without this appeal, they would have great difficulty raising the sums needed themselves. It is good news that the clubhouse is being rebuilt but it is essential that the equipment is replaced as well."

Mr Gordon explained that Community Action Newtown had reduced crime and vandalism in the area by 40 per cent by engaging with young people and getting them "to see sense".

He said: "The majority of them are good kids and I would like to see them involved in positive activities, like playing for Stourport Hockey Club or Kidderminster and Stourport Athletic Club."

Community Action Newtown is a voluntary group set up in 2003 and consisting of young people, representatives of Wyre Forest Community Housing, shop owners, the clergy, police, local councillors and members from the youth service and local schools.

The group has raised money for various projects, including helping to secure £30,000 to build an all-weather pitch in Manor Road. Their next project is to improve facilities for younger children in the same area.