A YOUNG firefighter scheme which has proved a huge success in Monmouthshire is being extended to another Gwent county.

Teenagers in Caerphilly have the opportunity to take part when the scheme, run jointly between the youth service and South Wales Fire Service, starts there in February.

The young firefighter scheme was launched in Abergavenny two years ago - then only the second of its type in South Wales.

The scheme, developed by Monmouthshire Youth Service and the South Wales Fire Service, has given young people the opportunity to take part in a weekly evening activity.

It is aimed at young people between the ages of 14 and 18 and aims to develop their fire safety awareness and team working abilities.

Louise Richards, from Monmouthshire Youth Service, has recently taken control of the group from Dawn Higgs who started the group and helped develop the scheme two years ago.

Ms Richards said: "The group meets every Thursday at Abergavenny fire station where it lines up for calling and then goes through the drills."

She said that the young people have a syllabus to follow as they go through the training process and they achieve levels according to knowledge and experience that they gain.

Ms Richards said: "They are learning to be more aware of others and their environment, how to use the equipment properly and how to tackle certain situations.

"This scheme is such a fantastic opportunity for young people in Abergavenny and it will soon be launched in Caerphilly so young people there will be also be able to benefit from it."

* Contact Louise Richards on 01873 833205

*in the picture: Youth worker and outgoing group leader Dawn Higgs, centre, says goodbye to volunteers Sam Smith, left, and Ben DIxon, from Goytre.