DOES the sight of a large gathering of young people strike terror into your heart? With frequent news reports about antisocial behaviour, it's easy to see why some might feel intimidated.

Even last month the police launched a major crackdown along the Bournemouth seafront to disperse groups of drunken youths.

But according to youth volunteers from the Vibe project on Old Christchurch Lane, the young are being unfairly demonised because of the actions of a small minority.

They believe there are not enough facilities and attractions for youth in the town.

Amy, 17, feels that top of a wish-list for new amenities should be an ice rink in Bournemouth: "We've lost the swimming pool at the BIC and that was a good place to meet up. If we had a permanent ice rink we could have an ice hockey team, speed skating, figure skating and a disco. It would also bring in money to the area."

With the Olympic Games in the headlines it seems apt that another wish would be for more local sporting activities and a greater use of our famous beaches.

"It's a shame because most young people are drawn to the beach, so it would be great to bring them together in teams for sports tournaments. But most of the time the beach is not being used and nothing much is happening on it," says Tash, 19.

They also criticise some of Bournemouth's attractions and feel "everything's expensive, because it's geared towards tourists".

The controversial Imax cinema has also come under heavy flak from the teenage volunteers at Vibe.

"It's an ugly building that promised so much with its 3D films, but now it's just an unused waste of space," says Tash.

These views were recently put to Bournemouth Council in a seven-minute documentary called Life's A Beach that was made by the youngsters with the help of a £1,000 grant from YMCA England.

The aim was to raise awareness of the perceived lack of amenities for young people and perhaps why some youngsters are blamed for outbreaks of antisocial behaviour.

Cllr John Beesley, deputy leader of Bournemouth council, says: "There probably aren't enough facilities for young people and that's a common problem throughout the country. We're looking to attract an ice rink to King's Park as that's a facility that young people say that they want and there's been a lot of pressure to try and deliver it."

The council is currently developing a plan to change the landscape of Bournemouth with the unveiling of the Town Centre Master Vision. Possible changes explained within the consultation document include making the town more pedestrian-friendly, building a botanic garden, a children's playground, a treetop walkway in the Gardens and improving the flyover at Pier Approach.

"My colleagues and I are looking longer term at the whole seafront issue - the beach, the promenade and all the amenities we have.

"We are short of facilities and that's why we want younger people feeding back in to the consultation process."

Despite the promise of new facilities for young people in the region, some of the volunteers remain sceptical.

Kristie, 17, attends regular meetings and talks with council representatives: "Councillors tell you what you want to hear and you don't feel like you're being taken seriously. They could help young people, but there's no money from doing that."

Cllr Beesley admits that any changes are unlikely to be instant but is keen to take into account the views of young people at the planning stage.

"I'm not saying we can do it all overnight - of course we can't, but over time we can have a better planned approach to provide things that younger people think would be a good idea and that we can afford to pay for," he says.

"The youth of today are the adults of tomorrow. My objective is that we leave a lasting economic legacy for the next generation and beyond.

"And I look upon that as a duty as far as the local authority is concerned. The local council needs to be doing everything it can to make sure that happens.

"If we don't we will lose that opportunity, enthusiasm and energy."