Oxfordshire County Council is about to launch a new site aimed at young people in Oxfordshire.

Targeting a broad age group from 11 to 24, spired.com promises not only to provide a range of information, but also aims to encourage its readers to submit content too. For example, members can not only read what's on at their local cinema, they can also submit their own review. Membership will be free.

The site will be divided into five sections, including:

*The Guide, featuring information and contacts on such topics as money, education, law *What's on, a listing service covering the entire county

*The Game Zone, where members can play games online and will enter regular competitions

*Chat Central, based around information submitted by members, including a live chat room, a calendar, and readers' articles and pictures.

*The Forum, a collection of virtual conference rooms, or Virtual Youth Councils, where young people can discuss issues of importance to them. Discussions will be communicated to the relevant council committee.

The council-funded site is part of the county's wider initiative to encourage the active participation of young people in local government and democracy.

The project is managed by Gianni Brusati, who conceived the site. The project team consists of two Oxford-based companies: Ossian Associates, who are handling the design and marketing ,and Virtual Environments International, who are dealing with the programming.