Better maintained play areas, safer sports fields and improved co-ordination of activities are the main recommendations by City Council members on the Winchester town forum.

It follows a survey of 3,500 youngsters across the city ahead of a youth issues forum last month.

Council members met on Monday to discuss the results and ideas to make life better for youth in the district, especially those aged 11-17.

Labour member, Chris Pines, said a number of play areas in Winchester were in a poor state of repair. "Wherever you go in this town, there are little pockets that just say, 'bad maintenance'."

He argued that repairs should be carried out more promptly and suggested following the lead of Southampton City Council, which has one freephone number for all maintenance work.

Members also discussed the need for lighting at skateparks and the King George V playing fields at Bar End.

Liberal Democrat, Sue Nelmes, said: "It worries me sometimes when I go past the skatepark at the River Park Leisure Centre. It's usually these sort of facilities that in poor light become really dangerous."

Dominic Hiscock (Lib Dem) argued there was a need for better cohesion in youth activities. He said youngsters had plenty to do, but many sport, education and activity groups clashed on the same evenings.

Members agreed that a new officer should be employed to reorganise the weekly programme of youth events in the district.

One of the main issues identified in the youth survey was a plea by youngsters for more buses around the outskirts of Winchester.

Conservative, Ian Tait, said: "If we want to have efficient and frequent transport to serve the community at times when young people need it we have to accept we've the responsibility to fund it."

No decision was taken on whether the council should lobby bus companies for more services.

The three main recommendations - improving maintenance, more lighting at sports fields, and cohesion in activities - will go before city cabinet members next month after the local elections.