A PROJECT that was initially seen as doubtful has won a group of Okehampton youngsters the prestigious Chief Constable?s Crime Prevention Shield.

This is the ultimate accolade for the members of Okehampton ?Teens to Twenties? who last week were celebrating receiving a £410 cheque for their initiative in the Devon Crimebeat Scheme.

The money is to fund their community safety project to draw attention to the needs of youngsters in the town.

It was presented by HSBC bank manager Julie Ounsworth and Devon Crimebeat co-ordinator PC Simon Dell at the Directions Youth Information Point in Exeter Road.

Members of Okehampton ?Teens to Twenties? have formed a group called ?Snapit? to show, through the lens of a camera, what it is like to be a teenager in Okehampton. The work will culminate in a photographic exhibition.

One of the photographers, Adam Hill, 16, said the money would help pay for the film and developing ? and help with the logistics of presenting the views of the town?s young. It will also fund some photographic lessons, local advertising for the exhibition and cost of the venue.

?We haven?t got a space for us to have a cup of tea at present. You see people on street corners and on benches. It would be a lot easier and more presentable for the town if the young had somewhere to go,? said Adam.

Both Adam and fellow members of the ?Teens to Twenties? would like to see a cafe where they could get hot drinks, a few computers linked into the internet and maybe some entertainment such as a pool table.

PC Dell said when the project was first presented to the Devon Crimebeat Scheme ? the High Sheriff of Devon?s charity aimed at encouraging young people?s involvement in crime prevention and community safety schemes ? funding was initially refused.

?But the young people in the town stood their ground saying this was what they wanted to achieve. They said if they could not get help here they would look elsewhere for their funding.

?It was felt they were so dedicated it must be a very important project to them ? and they were awarded the funds,? he said.

The project?s adult facilitator, Emma Hall from the Okehampton Community Centre, said the exhibition would be put on show at the end of February.

?Hopefully, that will be held in the Ockment Centre and there will be an open meeting to promote young people?s issues,? she said.

The High Sheriff?s shield will be presented to the Okehampton ?Teens to Twenties? group by the Chief Constable Maria Wallis at Bideford College Theatre on March 24.

There were nine groups competing and it was a close thing between the final two. But the High Sheriff decided Okehampton should win the award.