TENAGERS in Oxford have been invited to learn computer skills which will help them to shape the future design of their estate.

The Leys Remix Project aims to get 25 people, aged 14 to 18, involved in a year-long training course dedicated to improving public spaces in Blackbird Leys.

Representatives of Oxford Brookes University and Oxford Youth Works, a Christian youth organisation, have promised to teach the teenagers how to use computer design systems.

Once they have learned the basics of three-dimensional design, they will be able to develop ideas to put to councillors about how best to improve rundown public spaces on the estate, the organisers said.

Youth worker the Rev Patrick Mukholi said: "The idea is to help young people to think about their environment and then equip them with various ways they can redesign where they live.

"Ultimately they may be able to lobby authorities to change or enhance that environment.

"For instance, we have a skate park here which is not used much because it's very badly designed. There are also many alleys we have which have lots of litter and aren't good to walk along - especially when you're on your own."

Young people who sign up to the course will be taken on at least one international visit, to see an area where young people have been involved in improvement projects.

They will be trained using computer facilities at the university, which is running the project in conjunction with Oxford Youth Works, funded by a £70,000 grant from UrbanBuzz - a programme to help community projects.

Ian Bentley, professor of urban design at Oxford Brookes, said: "The problem is that professionals see themselves as experts, but they do not see the need for experts who are living in places like Blackbird Leys.

"Our project is about training young people to help develop their confidence, to articulate their experience of living in places like Blackbird Leys.

"It's very important for young people to have a voice in the future of the places where they live."

Becky Kiddle, 31, a PhD urban design student, from Pegasus Road, who is involved in the project, said: "I think there's a real need for young people to have an authentic say in what happens in their environment."

Anyone interested in signing up for the Leys Remix Project can meet the organisers in the Leys Linx Centre, in Blackbird Leys Road, from 11am today.