A pioneering scheme to bring young offenders together with their victims is set to be launched later this year.

The government announced on Tuesday that under new referral orders, victims in England and Wales will be able to spell out the misery caused by the crime.

They will also be involved in agreeing a suitable programme to both punish the offender and stop the youngster getting into trouble again.

Parents and the offender will also have to agree the programme which will be drawn up by a panel of youth workers and representatives of the local community.

As well as making reparations to their victims, for example by apologising or clearing up criminal damage, offenders could be told to undergo family counselling, drug treatment or anger management courses.

Cardiff has been chosen as one of the pilot areas for the scheme, where there are 1,200 young offenders reported each year.

Starting in June, other pilot areas Blackburn and Darwen, Cardiff, parts of London, Nottinghamshire, Oxfordshire, Suffolk and Swindon and Wiltshire.

'Distressing consequences'

If successful, the scheme will be expanded to cover England and Wales in 2002.

Home Office Minister Charles Clarke said: "By helping young offenders understand the distressing consequences of their actions, we aim to ensure they take responsibility for them.

"Crucially, victims will be invited to participate in the process, explaining how the offending behaviour has affected them and helping to determine an appropriate form of reparation."

But he insisted the orders were not a "soft option".