Troubled youngsters learn skills

A course to teach young people survival and conservation skills similar to the bushcraft showcased by the BBC's Ray Mears is running in Wiltshire.

It aims to keep targeted youngsters out of trouble and has been set up by the county council's youth offending team and Wiltshire Wildlife Trust.

About 12 youngsters - between eight and 12 - will attend the course at the Langford Lakes Nature Reserve.

Project co-ordinator Vanessa Brown said children found it "hugely rewarding".

'Positive feedback'

Those on the course are referred by agencies such as social workers and the police.

Ms Brown said: "We first ran the course earlier this year and it proved very successful.

"I have received some really positive feedback, not only from the participants but also their families and the agencies involved.

"These children are regularly excluded from school, they lack self-esteem and they might have difficult relationships with their families.

"This is an opportunity for them to learn about teamwork, about earning respect for themselves and from others and to put them in a challenging environment."