TEENAGERS on the Donnington estate, Oxford, are helping put together designs for a new youth space.

Donnington Doorstep Family Centre in Townsend Square, East Oxford, is in the middle of a £240,000 project to build an area for older children.

And organisers decided to make sure the youngsters had an input at every stage - meaning children have been working with interior designer Katy Beinart to come up with plans for how the inside of the extension will look.

Centre youth development worker Marie Nolansaid: "It has been fantastic for them.

"When I have been involved in projects for young people before, it has mostly been about a paint job. But this time they have been able to decide on everything from electrics to how they want the kitchen to look."

A series of drop-in sessions have been held and dozens of children, aged between eight and 16, have had their say about what they would like to see in the space, which will be officially launched on Saturday, June 14.

Miss Nolan said: "Lots of young people who use Doorstep have been involved in the process, which is really important to us.

"I have been impressed with their choices.

"I thought they might go for some really wacky things but they seem to have quite sophisticated tastes."

Decisions made so far mean the kitchen will be a stylish aubergine design, while the main area will be pale greens and lilac.

The young designers have still to decide on how to decorate one more wall - meaning the centre could end up having multi-coloured walls.

Miss Nolan said: "The children have also learned something about democracy.

"They work in small groups, come back into the main group, say what they want, look at what is most practical, then take a vote.

"They are very much looking forward to having a hub of their own."

It is also hoped the children will get involved in the physical work of creating their new space too - by helping to paint interior walls.

Tammie Pepper, 15, who lives in Donnington Bridge Road, is among the designers to contribute ideas for the youth space.

She said: "I am really excited.

"All the time I have lived in the Donnington area I have never had a youth space.

"I don't particularly like going to other youth centres.

"I have three other siblings and we have all been part of the design process.

"It has been a long time coming."