A TEAM of apprentices from South Worcestershire College have been working hard to help an Evesham charity while competing against other good willed students from across the country.

The group of nine 18 to 21-year-olds, who all attend the college which has campuses in both Evesham and Malvern, decided to take part in the Brathay Apprentice Challenge Team, a search for the apprentice team of the year, supported by the National Apprenticeship Service.

The apprentices, Bethany Holloway, Laura Canning, Naomi Nobes, Amy Clements, Francesca Green, Shaane Green, Katherine Danckert, Emma Roberson and Shelley Gisbourne, chose to work with a centre for young people in Evesham High Street called You Turn and have been busy refurbishing the entrance and reception room.

Eighteen-year-old Miss Holloway said: "We are competing against ninety other teams across the country. We have to prove our team building, leadership, logistical and communication abilities.

"To demonstrate these skills we are undertaking a number of work related challenges such as raising awareness of apprenticeships with young people and employers as well as a community project.

"We have chosen to work with an organisation called You Turn. The centre is for young people, which gives them an opportunity to gain new skills and develop qualifications. However the group receives minimal funding and the centre needs improving."

The deadline for the project is Friday, March 28, and the team will then wait to find out if they are the winners of the challenge.