EIGHT Caerphilly county borough youngsters have been offered full-time employment with Caerphilly county borough council so they can continue the successful environmental work they started as New Deal trainees.

New Deal Caerphilly and the council's cleansing services department have co-operated on a unique project to provide sustained employment opportunities for the long-term young unemployed.

The council's New Deal unit operates an Environmental Task Force for 18 to 24-year-olds who help enhance the area through various environmental projects. The authority's cleansing services has now given eight of the New Deal trainees the chance to move into direct employment and carry on their good work as council employees.

Cabinet member for environmental services, Councillor Darren Jones, said: "The environmental task force is helping to make a big difference in the area and we are delighted these trainees from the scheme have joined the authority." The posts have been created thanks to an extra £250,000 which has been injected into the council's cleansing budget for this year. The trainees will fill eight of the 13 new posts created with this money.

The new employees are Steve Norman, from Markham, Andrew King, from Hengoed, Jason Jones, from Penyrheol, Phillip Griffths, from Blackwood; Richard Hibbert, from Blackwood; Chris Carter, from Crumlin; Colin Clark, from Rhymney and Chris Price, of Gilfach. Cabinet member for economic development, Councillor Robert Gough said "This is a great opportunity for the trainees and is a boost to New Deal in its drive to alleviate youth unemployment in the Caerphilly county borough.

"New Deal offers a pool of available trained employees, allows us to get to know them first and removes any barriers to employment that they may have" Businesses interested in recruiting personnel in whatever discipline should contact New Deal on 02920 853100.