A PARTNERSHIP between trainees from the Kirk-leatham Special Project and Redcar and Cleveland College's Digital Imaging department is starting to develop.

The 15 trainees, who are aged between 16 and 25, are helped by college tutor Mike Boland and support assistant Dave Woods and have already produced a calendar from their Thursday afternoon sessions. Now they are focussing on a photographic competition by taking pictures of their village base and surroundings.

The organisers of the Children's Environmental Photographic Competition run by Redcar and Cleveland Borough Council's have created a special category for the trainees' entries.

The council's head of environment strategy, Cathrine Hall, said: "We've been so impressed with their enthusiasm that we decided to set aside a special section for their efforts."

Project manager Linda Jenkins said: "This is the first year we've organised a partnership with the college and it's worked superbly.

"The calendar was very much a prototype, with just a few copies. Hopefully next year we'll be able to produce more copies and sell them, too."

Tutor Mike Boland said: "The students have really enjoyed using the digital camera. And we've found it tremendously rewarding working with this group of students.

"The Children's Environmental Photographic Competition has a £50 first prize.

"All we want is a snap of a favourite part of the child's environment - it could be the back garden, a local play area or the beach."

Application forms have already been distributed to all the borough's schools but they are still available by calling Cathrine Hall on (01642) 444549.

The closing date for the competition is in late January.