WAYS to help youngsters find better things to do than roam the streets at night was top of the agenda for Dalton councillors and parents in November 1993.

Cumbria Education Service made use of a mobile drop-in centre in a caravan to provide a safe and warm place for youngsters to meet and enjoy a hot drink.

And a public meeting was held in the town's Nelson Street Drill Hall to discuss the problem and consider solutions.

The Mail on November 25 noted: "The lively meeting, chaired by mayor Brenda O'Connor, heard the views of youngsters, parents, councillors and youth workers on how best to combat the problem.

"After more than an hour they settled on the idea of a drop-in centre at the drill hall which would let the youths some and go as they please."

Cllr O'Connor told the meeting: "We will be looking for a pool table, record player, dart board and anything we can beg, steal, or borrow."

The Mail article noted: "Former mayor, Cllr John Phillipson, said there would not be an entry fee and he would propose that Dalton Council pay the rent for the centre."

The caravan drop-in centre was towed to Dalton by a Land Rover and offered tea, coffee and biscuits to youngsters out in the cold in the evenings.

It was part of the Haven Project, supported by Dalton's Council of Churches, and followed a survey showing children aged from seven to 17 were wandering about as late as 10pm.

One of the helpers, ex-social services worker Jamie Samson, said: "The aim of the project is to provide the kids with somewhere warm, a place they can sit, have a chat and a hot drink."

The project aimed to get a base in the town to open a community centre for people of all ages.

Our other pictures today feature some of the many activities Dalton youngsters have got involved in – from dancing to raising cash for good causes.