York Youth Forum is planning to run the event at the end of the summer or early autumn with an emphasis on the event being organised and run by young people for young people.

Now York Youth Forum coordinator Beck Cantrell and youth forum members have launched an appeal for volunteers to organise, run and promote the event.

York Youth Festival will feature workshops around youth issues for young people in York, different youth project stands, youth debates, and entertainment.

Beck said, "This promises to be a great event for the city's young people but we need to recruit a team of young people to organise it from start to finish. Anyone volunteering needs to be between 11 and 25 years of age and be willing to spend up to five months helping to deliver a specific part of the festival or just helping out generally.

"We need help with all kinds of work including planning and organising the catering, stalls, entertainment and publicity. Its a fantastic opportunity for young people to have their say and be involved from the start. This is a great opportunity for a bit of experience in a number of areas relevant to vocational skills." Anyone interested in helping should give Beck Cantrell a ring on 01904 643441. York Youth Forum was set up by City of York Council in 1999 to give the city's young people an independent voice. Every year it hands out some £50,000 in grants for youth projects. Anyone who is interested in being on the panel that decides where the grants go should also give Beck Cantrell a ring.

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