Teenagers from three city estates are so fed up with the 'violence and chaos' on their streets they have demanded someone takes action - and The Argus is backing their calls.

School pupils from Moulsecoomb, Bevendean and Coldean in Brighton have written to The Argus calling for help from the council, Government or anyone else who can make a change in their areas.

They said their estates were being made dangerous by other teenagers who were turning to crime and anti-social behaviour because there was little else to do.

Teenager Malvern Webber, from Moulsecoomb, said: "Youth crime has increased in the area and it has been in the press almost every week. I think the place is getting more and more unsafe for young children and old people."

His schoolmate Cody Southwell, 15, from Bevendean, added: "There is nothing to do in the area I live in, well, nothing for kids our age.

"We really need a place to hang out. If we had a place to go the trouble that sometimes happens might stop."

The pair and several other pupils at Falmer High School, in Lewes Road, Brighton, have urged authorities to set up youth facilities in their estates for older teenagers like themselves.

Scott Gloster, 15, from Bevendean, said the areas needed club buildings where young people could meet and use pool tables, listen to music and play games.

The Argus contacted local councillors to recruit their support on the pupils' behalf.

Brighton and Hove City Councillors Anne Meadows, who represents Moulsecoomb and Bevendean, and Pat Hawkes, who represents Coldean, said they were pleased young people were taking an active interest and they would be happy to help.

Coun Meadows said: "We will certainly lobby the council for them. There is a real dearth of facilities and opportunities for young people over the age of 14 in both Bevendean and Moulsecoomb."

She said if young people were in clubs or other facilities rather than on the streets it would also be better for the older residents of the areas who were often intimidated by large groups of teenagers.

Coun Meadows said: "It is difficult to see where funding will come from but with a concerted effort I believe we can get somewhere."

The Crew Club in the Whitehawk estate was set up for similar reasons and has been branded a success. It is believed to have contributed to a fall in crime in the area.

However it was partly funded by Government regeneration grants which will run out next year.

Coun Hawkes said moves were already underway to improve youth facilities in Coldean, with proposals being made to convert a former medical practice into a place for young people.

Stuart McLaughlin, headteacher at Falmer High, said he was proud of his pupils for making their voices heard.

He said: "They are absolutely right, these are communities that are very under resourced, not just for the young people but for adults as well. Moulsecoomb is a very big community but there is not even a pub or a bank. These are things you would expect to find in places but they just are not there.

"They have some youth facilities, and all of the schools have things going on before and after the school day, but these are quite a long way away from some parts of the area and you can't realistically expect teenagers to travel that far to make use of them."

Do you think investment should be made in facilities for teenagers in Moulsecoomb, Bevendean and Coldean? Post your comments below.