The friends of the two teenagers have backed the knife amnesty

Steven Baylis, 16, and his 14-year-old friend Nuttawut "Twood" Nadauld were found dead in a field in Barkham, Berkshire, on 11 September, 2005.

A group of 15 friends have now grouped together to visit schools in the area and raise the profile of the amnesty, with local youth workers' backing.

Thomas Palmer, 19, of Blagrove Drive in Wokingham, denies the pair's murder.

Some people carry knives in self-defence, but half the time when they go to use them, it is not in a self-defence situation Adam Couchman

The group, which is also making a DVD to raise awareness, will officially launch the area's own amnesty on Friday.

Adam Couchman, 17, from Finchampstead, said: "By launching this amnesty, we aim to raise public awareness to the fact that people do carry knives and knives do get used.

"Some people carry knives in self-defence, but half the time when they go to use them, it is not in a self-defence situation.

"Their knife could also be turned on them. You are no safer with a knife than you are without one."

Youth focus

Anyone wanting to hand over a knife will now be able to do so at Wokingham police station or at Loddon Valley police station from the end of the week.

Kelly Marshall, 17, from Wokingham, said: "We would like to stress that people depositing of knives at the designated areas will not be questioned or prosecuted.

"If you have a knife, think about getting rid of it."

Ch Insp Tony Ismay, of Thames Valley Police, said: "I am really pleased that we are participating in the national knife amnesty and more so that our version has a real youth focus to it."

The national five-week amnesty - the first of its kind in a decade - was launched on Wednesday.