Schoolchildren as young as 12 could be put in charge of tens of thousands of pounds of public money a year under plans to improve their behaviour.

Council chiefs believe giving youngsters the cash to use on improving their communities will encourage them to become better citizens.

The scheme - the first of its kind in the country - comes at a time of growing concern over a rise in yobbish behaviour among the young.

Gang culture, youngsters wearing "hoodies" to hide their identity, and "happy slappy" attacks - where youths photo victims getting beaten up and then text the images to friends - have all been highlighted in the media in recent months.

Birmingham's answer to tackling the problem is to set up "youth committees" made up of 12 to 19-year-olds in the city's 11 districts, with at least £25,000 to spend each. It is hoped a potential pot of £275,000 a year will be used to fund new sports facilities, recreation spaces, or whatever other youth-orientated services they want.

Coun Les Lawrence (Con Northfield), Birmingham's Cabinet member for education who is spearheading the initiative, said: "This is all about changing that culture and releasing the energy young people have within themselves to deliver the things they require and say is important to them."

But Coun Reg Corns (Con Northfield) claimed the money was not enough to stem a rise in hooligan behaviour.

"We have a timebomb that is about to explode into juvenile urban anarchy," he warned.

"The £25,000 is not sufficient to deal with the needs of all the young people."