A GROUP of green-fingered school leavers has given a Middlesbrough youth club a boost as part of a national programme.

The 13 students were taking part in the National Citizen Service (NCS) scheme which helps young people prepare for life after school.

Their four-week programme saw them learn team-building skills during residential spells in the Lake District and at Teesside University.

In addition to exciting and challenging activities including mountaineering, gorge walking and kayaking, the group picked up valuable skills in communication, leadership, self-confidence responsibility and independence.

They then brought all their new knowledge and experiences together to develop their own social action project.

MFC Foundation Coach Grace Robinson, who worked on the project with the group, said: "The students decided what they wanted to do and how they wanted to do it, I think they did a great job and importantly everyone who uses that area does so too.

"They've made a big difference and that's what they set out to do."