Young people from Webster's High School have played a prominent role in opening up an innovative youth drop-in attracting up to 70 young people per night.

The Friday Nite Project is an innovative approach to youth work, based in the Webster's Sports Centre and is based on partnership between local volunteers, Police and Tayside fire and rescue.

Recognition of the young peoples' volunteering led them to receiving excellence awards for 200 hours of volunteering as part of the National Millennium Awards.

Local Councillor Alison Andrews praised Kirriemuir Friday Nite Project after her visit. "It's wonderful to see so many young people having so much fun, but it takes a lot of hard work to make it all run smoothly, she said.

"I'm hugely impressed by the young volunteers who organise the programme. They've each clocked up 200 hours of volunteering this year, and I'm delighted that they've earned a national excellence award for their efforts.

"I hope their achievement will inspire other young people in Kirrie to join the project as volunteers after the summer break."

Manager of Volunteer Centre Angus, Gary Malone who leads on the project, said this is a tremendous illustration of the important role volunteering has. "Without the efforts of volunteers brilliant projects like this would not happen," he said.

"In Kirriemuir there is no open youth work provision so the Friday Nite Project is critical to ensuring young people enjoy a healthy lifestyle.

"It would be fitting to pay particular regard to the role of Police and fire and rescue who have turned up regularly to help with the project. Local business including hairdressers has also helped out.

"It has been a privilege to be part of this project which I would describe as the best example of community led youth work in Scotland."

Mr Malone went on to say: "All too often, young people get bad press but here in Kirriemuir we have excellent , talented young people who are volunteering and leading by example, without them this project would definitely not happen."

The Friday Nite Project was set up by young volunteers as part of the healthy happy communities and focus on alcohol Project.

It has attracted an additional years funding through the youth investment fund but relies heavily on volunteering. Anyone interested should call Gary Malone on 01241 875525.