A GROUP of young people in Birkenhead have revamped a play area at the Charing Cross Methodist Church.

The 16-25 year olds designed the improvements for the play area themselves, and their talents are now displayed on a colourful 60ft wall featuring murals and cartoon characters.

This Birkenhead team is one of many ran nationally by ScottishPower Learning as part of the Princes Trust.

The aim is to transform the lives of struggling youths by developing their vocational skills.

ScottishPower Learning delivery partner manager Steve Gauller said: "The renovation of the play area in Birkenhead is great.

It has improved the area with paintings and it really makes the place look a lot better which is to the benefit of the whole community."

During the programme the team learnt skills that helped them to design the play area under the guidance of their leaders Rebecca Weston from ScottishPower and Dani Dell'Ocro from Inland Revenue.

The Birkenhead team started their community project on September 6, and are all hoping to graduate from the course at the end of November.

ScottishPower Learning has a good track record as the first team in Birkenhead saw a successful ten-out-of-12 members gaining employment or returning to education.

Steve said: "Things like this provide people with a wide range of key skills that employers are looking for.

"They get some great experiences that they can describe to employers and it demonstrates that they can deliver in the work place, and on top of all this they get numerous qualifications."

It is free to take part in ScottishPower learning courses and the next intake is earlier next year.

q For more information on taking part call Steve Gauller on 0151 633 2947.