Young people on a Sandwell skills and job-seeking scheme have earned praise for helping to refurbish bungalows on a West Bromwich estate.

Councillor Shackleton, Josh Ward, Josh Timms, Le Shane Smith, Hakiem Grey and Dean Butler, from the Future Skills scheme run by Sandwell Council, worked with Riverside Housing and private company Mansell on the homes in Hill Top.

The apprentice painters and decorators, aged between 16 and 19, are working towards NVQ level 2 qualifications with the work-based learning provider Future Skills Sandwell.

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Think Local Construction, part of the council's economic regeneration and skills division, joined contractor Mansell Construction Services Ltd to look at opportunities for work-based experience on the Riverside Housing Project, part of a PFI project.

Riverside assistant director Paul Jones said: "It soon became clear from residents in Conway Avenue that the work of the apprentices bungalows had been a success. It was requested that trainees returned to complete the schedule of works and the young people seized the opportunity."

Mansell Construction Services Ltd provided the paint, equipment, PPE, health and safety induction, whilst Future Skills supervised the teenagers' work.

(CD/JM)