Peterlee Police and east Durham residents have gone back to basics to run sessions called Board Games For Bored Kids to offer somewhere for youngsters to go and play games such as chess, draughts, Frustration and Connect 4.

It is hoped the initiative, hailed as "breaking down barriers between young and old", will prove a huge hit and even set the mark for other communities to follow suit.

Residents who attended a Police and Communities Together (PACT) meeting in Horden last month approached police to suggest the idea.

Councillor Dennis Maddison, who represents Horden on Durham County Council, is heavily involved in the scheme.

He said: "It all came about after the older residents sat down and talked to the younger people about what they want.

"Once they got talking the interaction was unbelievable. It is still in its early stages, but the police think it could really take off and we have plans to have families playing together and to get a quiz going."

Inspector Paul Harrison, of Peterlee Police, said: "When I was at the original PACT meeting, the young people wanted music and were asking for board games, not Nintendo Wiis or electronic games, they wanted the old-fashioned games like Kerplunk, chess, draughts and Mouse Trap.

"I would encourage all local communities to put something on similar to this for their own use.

"This is an ideal venture to break down the barriers between young people and the rest of the community and it will also show the young people that their community members will value them providing their behaviour is acceptable.

"I'm really looking forward to seeing the benefits of this innovative scheme."

Dave Thompson runs the Centre Field Pavilion Cafe, Horden, where the sessions are held fortnightly on Wednesdays, from 5pm until 8pm.

He said: "I think it's tremendous. I whole-heartedly support what we are doing."

The next session takes place at the cafe, in Sunderland Road, on Wednesday, January 30.