TEENAGERS battling to improve an area of Weymouth are appealing for fellow youngsters to join them in their fight.

Ryan Hope and his pals want to better the streets of Westham - starting with the redevelopment of the dated Wiltshire Avenue play area.

Now the budding campaigners are looking for people to join a new youth forum for the estate and help get the ball rolling.

Ryan and friends Curtis Filmer, Mark Hiscutt and Max Hunter collected a 300-signature petition calling for the park revamp in May.

They wrote to senior figures including South Dorset MP Jim Knight and Weymouth Police chief inspector Alan Jenkins to try and boost their bid.

Now the group wants to start up a youth forum, made up of Westham youngsters, to help promote their campaign even further.

Ryan, 15, said the idea came from discussions with borough council community development worker Julie Hursthouse.

"We received letters back from everybody but were worried that without a renewed effort things would grind to a halt," he said.

"Julie suggested the youth forum idea, to campaign for change and raise money.

"We're not just looking at the park now. We want to address anything that needs doing in the area. It's not just about young people either. We're keen to give something back to the whole community."

Ryan, a pupil at Budmouth Technology College, is looking for around 10 to 15 youngsters aged between 10 and 17 to join the forum.

If you would like to join, call Ryan on 07794 757558 or you can email him at 03hoperya@ budmouth.dorset.sch.uk.

Alternatively, call Julie Hursthouse on 01305 838497 or email her at juliehurst house@weymouth.gov.uk.