YOUNGSTERS in Pickering are to revive a popular Christmas disco in the town.

Members of Pickering Town Youth Council have been raising funds to host the event, which had lapsed due to running costs.

Councillor Mal Danks said a few years ago it was not unusual, particularly at Christmas, for there to be several discos for young people in the local area.

“During the past few years there have been next to none, the reason for this is not, as some people believe, that young people did not know how to behave at discos so organisations stopped running them,” she said. “The real reason is that, because of licensing conditions, it has become almost impossible for small local organisations to run such an event.”

Coun Danks said Ryedale District Council encouraged those who organise such events to have had CRB checks in order to protect young people from harm.

“This is the ‘killer’ as far as small organisations are concerned. Ryedale District Council insist that these events cannot take place in venues such as Pickering Memorial Hall unless there are two door supervisors who are certificated by the council,” she said.

“These licensed door keepers cost a minimum of £150 and thus render any low-cost young people’s disco prohibitive to most groups.”

Coun Danks said the committee of Pickering Town Youth Council, which has now been running for three years and has organised several events for young people in the town, have decided to “bite the bullet” and put on a Christmas disco for the town’s young people, despite the cost.

“They have raised the money during the past three years organising talent shows, art exhibitions, etc and feel that they are now in a position to arrange a Christmas treat for the young people of Pickering,” she said.

The disco is aimed at the 12-15 age group and will take place on Friday, from 7pm to 9.30pm, at Pickering Memorial Hall. Tickets, which cost £2 if bought in advance, are on sale at Lady Lumley’s School, Pickering, or by phoning Mal Danks on 01751 477913.