A CHALLENGE to inspire young people and encourage them to give something back to their communities has proved so popular it’s being launched for the sixth year.

North Yorkshire Police’s Lifestyle Challenge is for youngsters aged ten to 17and runs over the summer holidays. It throws down the gauntlet prompting youngsters to undertake a positive project that will be for the benefit of local people.

Working in teams they have until the end of September to work on their schemes, recording what they do in a log book provided by the police. These are submitted for judging with a special awards ceremony in November.

Categories include: community safety; conservation; safety and security; sports and "be fit and healthy". The main award, the "Dream Come True Challenge" is a tribute to PC Suzanne Asquith who died in 2016 after suffering from cancer.

Last years winners included Team TBJ from Northallerton,who collected food and supported Hambleton FoodShare and the Northern Ninjas who held a vintage afternoon tea party and events at a Ripon care home to carry off the Suzanne Asquith award.

Sgt Neil Northend said: “The Lifestyle Challenge is a fun and productive way to spend the long summer holiday and, as we have seen can bring some truly inspirational results. They give young people an activity to get stuck into over summer and benefit our communities as well. I’m looking forward to seeing what they come up with this year.”

To find out more about the Challenge visit northyorkshire.police.uk/lifestyle .