WILTSHIRE Wildlife Trust has won a grant of almost £60,000 towards the cost of setting up a training scheme for long term unemployed young people.

The award from Wiltshire Police and Crime Commissioner Angus Macpherson’s £1 million Innovation Fund will be used to run a Repair Academy with the help of Kennet Furniture Refurbiz, Community First, Waste Not Want Not, Hills Waste Solutions and Wiltshire and Swindon Colleges.

Organised as a social enterprise the project will provide training and work experience for young people who are not already in education or employment, especially those who are thought to be at risk of falling into a life of crime.

The training will involve around 96 young people refurbishing white goods and furniture that is then sold at low cost to needy families. Their courses will also include college sessions and qualifications.