Since July, Ellen Hughes and Karen Dawson have been meeting young people in the town on Friday nights to work with them to cut anti-social behaviour.

The arrangement has been such a success that Land Securities, owners of Corby town centre and one of the organisations which fund the project, has agreed to finance the team to work with young people on Saturday nights as well.

The pair, who are employed by Groundwork North Northants, have been tackling a number of issues including alcohol misuse.

They are working with a group of young people who meet at West Glebe park in Corby.

The team is funded by Northamptonshire County Council and Land Securities, and has the support of Northamptonshire Police.

Ann-Marie Lawson, youth development officer for Groundwork North Northants, said: "It's all going very well. We haven't produced any statistics because it's early days but the police are happy with the progress that has been made.

"I think positive intervention is always the way to go with young people."

She said the scheme is vital because of the cuts in youth services in Corby during the past year.

Detached youth worker Mrs Hughes said: "We are building relationships with several groups of young people who now know and accept us.

"We aim to ensure that they realise the consequence of their actions and work towards a safer and better community for all.

"The young people we have met are concerned about the lack of youth provision in Corby and often complain that they have nowhere to go.

"We are trying to address this problem by referring them to appropriate places and, where possible, helping them to access funding for projects of their choice.

"Groundwork has an extensive youth programme and we hope that we can use this to minimise risks to themselves and other members of the community."