RECRUITS who completed a fire brigade course that encourages young people to become model citizens have been honoured.

Fifteen teenagers, who completed the 12-week course organised by County Durham and Darlington Fire Brigade, carried out a drill in front of trainers and family before the presentation of certificates.

Volunteer brigade staff taught pupils from Greenfield School Community and Arts College, Newton Aycliffe, and Ferryhill Business and Enterprise College firefighting skills, teamwork, discipline and citizenship.

The scheme, Firebreak, targets young offenders or those at risk of offending and students who teachers believe would benefit from the non-academic programme.

Newton Aycliffe station commander Ken Dixon said: "They have shown tremendous commitment, for example during the half-term holidays they turned up and did the work.

"They showed real dedication and more students than ever completed the course, only one left and that was because he moved from the area."

Course managers Ron Bainbridge and Geoff Blakey said the attitudes, behaviour and school attendance of all the recruits had improved.

The youngsters were Shane Bowmer, Kallen Gibbons, Liam Williams, Ryan Sweetlove, Stacey I'Anson, Chantelle Briggs, Amy Kearsley, Daryl Howard, Richard Slater, Amy Gauden, Charlene Clough, Charlie Fowler, Jay Goring, James Howard and Alan Field.