TEENAGERS in Liverpool are to decide how to spend more than three-quarters of a million pounds.

The city council has received £800k from the government's Youth Opportunities Fund, which gives youngsters aged 13-19 complete power to make suggestions and decisions over how the cash should be used. 

There are no limits as to what the money can be spent on, as long as it gives young people choice and influence over the provision of facilities in their area and allows them to develop their confidence, skills, knowledge or abilities. 

Examples of things they could request include ideas for a better sports, arts or community facility. Any individual, or a group, can apply for funding.

The scheme is being launched this week, with teenagers first of all being asked to vote on how the fund should be governed and distributed. 

They have to decide:

. If there be one big pot of money, or whether it should be equally divided around the six different neighbourhood areas of the city

. Whether one large group of young people, or if small groups from around the city should decide how the money should be spent 

. If there should be a limit on the amount of money that can be applied for

Lib Dem Council leader Warren Bradley said: "This is a hugely exciting project because it gives young people total control over a huge amount of money and shows we are willing to put our trust in them and give them responsibility. 

"It will give them a massive voice and influence over things that happen in their local community, and they will be able to make the decisions with no interference from adults.

"Giving them total control over making the decisions over how the money should be spent will help them develop skills that will prove extremely useful in later life."  

Youth workers are visiting secondary schools over the next few weeks to explain about the fund. 

Voting forms and ballot boxes are being distributed in libraries, leisure centres, key youth centres, mobile youth vehicles and Connexions centres to give teenagers the chance to decide how the fund should be governed. They will also be able to vote online at the Liverpool Youth Service website: www.lys.org.uk. 

When the votes have been counted, application forms for funding will be distributed and a group or groups set up to make the decisions. The money has to be spent by April 2008.