EAST Lancashire youngsters are being urged to embrace the information highway to express their views on life.

The call comes from the Lancashire Police Authority (LPA) which has launched a new website to encourage the county's teenager's to tell them what they think about the police, public services and life in general.

The www.zone4youth.co.uk website has been designed by the authority specifically for the 11 to 18 year old age group.

It offers online questionnaires, question pop ups, a graffiti board messaging system and the opportunity to submit e-mails as well as information pop ups and a news ticker feature for news 'bites' and interesting information.

A 'hot topic' will provide a discussion base and also allow the users to set their own agenda and topics for discussion.

To complement the features and move away from simply presenting information and submitting views, a games section has also been included to ensure the site maintains variety and appeal to the users.

The website - its creators hope - will help bridge an identified 'generation gap' and ensure the views of youth are not stifled.

"The internet is part of everyday life for the majority of young people living in Lancashire" said Diane Flynn, who is an independent member and Chair of the Consultation Working Group.

"This website will not only provide them with relevant and helpful information, but will also provide young people with opportunities to contribute to decision making on issues important to them and where they live."

The site has won the support from the county's police, youth services, education authorities and youth councils - with all the bodies contributing to its content.

The results of surveys taken on the website will be used by all the agencies to gain a better understanding of the issues that matter to young people and feedback will also be given to the participants themselves.

LPA communications manager Naomi Walker added the website marked a conscious decision to move away from more traditional forms of consultation.

She said: "It is hoped that the youth website will explore the potential of the web to overcome the barriers faced by the authority and other public bodies seeking the views of young people who do not traditionally participate in the usual methods of consultation and who are frequently isolated and socially excluded."