PLANS for a £50,000 recreational area for teenagers in Church Hill are gathering momentum after the announcement of three potential sites.

Bomford Hill, the area between Paper Mill Drive and Offenham Close and the area at the end of Rush Lane have all been identified as suitable locations for the 'teen-zone'.

Redditch Council, together with Sport England, has set up the project to create a sport area, which could include a basketball court, aimed at youngsters over the age of 13.

The council's area manager for environmental services Guy Revans said: "There are areas where youngsters are hanging about. And research shows young people resent being seen as a problem and often see themselves as victims. They want to be part of something and they want somewhere they can go and be safe without being hassled."

A programme has now been drawn up which will include a long consultation process with residents and youth groups during March and April.

Church Hill Alliance co-ordinator Fran Sandy said: "We want to try and include as many people as possible in the consultation including users and residents. We want to talk to the heads of school and get ideas form elsewhere. We want to go into Church Hill Middle and Arrow Vale to speak to the pupils."

The final plan should be released in October.