YORK schoolchildren have started their own investigation into development proposals for the city's so-called "teardrop site".

Pupils from Millthorpe School are looking into leading ideas for the multi-million pound York Central development, which will have a big impact on the future of the historic city.

The Year Eight geography students are seeking the "lowdown" on the project by interviewing the leading organisations in the development.

These will include City of York Council leader Coun Steve Galloway, and representatives from the leisure group the Railway Institute, and environmentalists Millennium Green.

The students will be producing their own video about the project - with the help of a professional editor - to raise awareness about the future of the "teardrop site".

"The project is to increase the awareness in the community, looking at how people will be affected by it," said Millthorpe School head of geography, Sasha Hutchinson.

"The students' awareness has already been raised, and this will be passed on to other students, to their parents, and to primary school students involved in the project.

"It will also benefit the students in other ways, teaching them new skills from what the planning process is, which is part of the curriculum, to new technical skills about making a video.

"It will also help them to know they can get involved in these things. I think it will be very positive for them all."

The pupils will tour the site, and visit The Deep in Hull to see another brownfield regeneration project. They will also work with other youngsters from around York, interviewing eight and nine-year-olds from Poppleton Road Primary School about their ideas for the future of the city.

York Central project officer Sue Houghton said: "The York Central project provides a wide range of opportunities to engage young people in the planning process.

"The students today will have a long-term interest in the project and by the time it is completed, many will be adults, possibly with children of their own, who may end up living and working in York Central."

She added: "Even at this early stage in the development process we feel it's important to raise young people's awareness of York Central and how it may impact their lives."

Updated: 12:55 Tuesday, July 08, 2003