NINE young people from Crewe have graduated from a Cheshire Fire and Rescue Service-led Prince's Trust programme.

The graduation took place at Crewe Hall and to mark the completion of the programme the team members all gave a two-minute speech about their time on the course.

The speeches were in front of an audience of local dignitaries, family, friends and people who have helped and mentored them over the 12-week course.

The ceremony started with an official welcome from the High Sheriff of Cheshire before the presentation took place and was then followed by closing remarks from Cllr Rachel Bailey from the Cheshire Fire Authority.

The graduates included: Kathryn Bennett, Ethan Capper, Joseph Dutton, Ranya Hadir, Ryan Hancock, Marcus Hutton, Doug Muirhead, Scott Perberdy and Cathryn Whitworth.

They took part in a number of activities, including a team building residential, a community project as well as courses on food hygiene, health and safety and first aid.

The programme gives young people between the ages of 16 and 25 the opportunity to learn new skills, complete qualifications and gain greater self-confidence.

Sarah McCreaddie, the Prince's Trust Programme Manager for Cheshire Fire and Rescue Service, who worked with the Crewe team, said: "It has been a lot of hard work and they definitely deserve to celebrate as it has been a pleasure to lead them and work with them over the last 12 weeks."

The next teams will be running from January 24, 2022 and Cheshire Fire and Rescue Service is recruiting for team members at the Cheshire Fire and Rescue Service website https://www.cheshirefire.gov.uk/