Eight young people have completed a scheme to improve their job prospects.

They were the third group to finish Braintree Council's Green Team projet, a 12 week pre-apprenticeships training programme for 16 to 24 year olds.

It is aimed at those not in work, training or education and gives them a chance to achieve nationally recognised qualifications.

The latest recruits were Jo Allington, 18, Jamie Fryer, 24, Kieran Allen, 18, Mark Fernandes, 18, and Joel Sparkes, 19, all from Braintree; Richard Frank Newton, 20, from Witham; Sam Lowrie, 18, from Silver End; and Adam Turnball, 18, from Great Notley.

They worked on outdoor projects across the Braintree district, including maintenance work in Hatfield Peverel, fencing and planting at a Braintree courtyard, and shop front landscaping in Witham.

All of the previous Green Team participants have passed the scheme and at least 70 per cent have found jobs as a result.