A youth council credited with helping anti-social incidents fall by almost two-thirds on a troubled Trowbridge estate was officially launched on Friday.

Longfield Youth Council was set up in December to tackle the problem of anti-social behaviour on the estate and give youths the chance to air their views and hopes.

Since it was put into action, local police have told organisers that anti-social behaviour has fallen by 65 per cent on the estate.

Rob Dewsbury, a community worker for the Maranatha Church, was the driving force behind the initiative and said the ribbon being cut by the town mayor John Knight, symbolised past problems being set aside for a new more positive community approach in the area.

Those at the official launch included police, housing associations, the local tenants and residents association and representatives from Wiltshire County Council.

Mr Dewsbury, 44, said: “What I love about the launch last Friday is that it was a communal thing and a brilliant example of everyone working together.

“The young people getting involved in this youth council are lighting the way and I am really proud of them.”

The first couple of meetings of the youth council took place earlier this year and saw young people of secondary school age and above come along to talk to about how they thought they could improve their estate and the community as a whole through organised activities.

They are able to feed their ideas into the youth council, but also attend a youth drop-in at the Longfield Community Centre from 3pm until 5pm every Friday to hang out, play games consoles and air their views.

Mr Dewsbury said the youth council is also trying to work with local housing associations on a project called Dreamscheme, which would see the youths take part in community activities, such as litter picks, in order to earn points which can then be exchanged for rewards.

These rewards could include things such as graffiti sessions or music workshops.