ACTIVE youngsters in Pickering have continued to support their community by helping to erect this year's Christmas decorations.

Since the Celebration of Youth festival held in the town last July, a regular group of young people has helped out with the town's teen parties, contributed various reports to the website Radio Ryedale, and continued to be involved in productions at the Kirk Theatre Company.

"I am very proud of the young people and of the whole team," said organiser Coun Natalie Warriner. "All the generations have pulled together - our youngest volunteer was 13 and the oldest was 63."

The lights go on in Pickering on Friday, November 28, at 6pm, with festivities starting at 3.30pm. Coun Warriner said: "It will be a wonderful opportunity for the people of the town and surrounding area to get together and celebrate the beginning of Christmas."

Pickering's Christmas teen party will be held on Friday, December 19, in the Pickering Memorial Hall.

Updated: 10:37 Wednesday, November 26, 2003