BURY'S young Commonwealth Games ambassadors have finished the first lap of their quest for full-time employment.

Eighteen young people from the borough have been presented with a level one qualification from the Open College Federation.

And each will fulfil some form of voluntary work during the Commonwealth Games, to be staged in Manchester between July 25 and August 4.

Ultimately, however, they will hopefully gain interviews, placements and vital training with businesses, including those who are sponsors of the event.

The youngsters were presented with their certificates by Bury mayor, Councillor Paul Nesbit.

They are all involved in the first phase of the pre-volunteer programme, which was launched in 24 areas of the North West, including Bury, which were deemed disadvantaged. The scheme is designed to provide them with a national accreditation, leading to full-time employment.

And the launch of the pre-volunteer programme was to help lay the foundations for the Commonwealth Games.

The young people, aged 16-24, have been helped by community workers and a project manager to achieve level one qualification, and each will undertake further studies.

Local colleges throughout the North West are working in conjunction with the programme, level one of which was events volunteering.

A Commonwealth Games spokesman said: "This involved four key areas, comprising first aid, customer care, health and safety and ambassadors, which means being equipped with hospitality skills."

The pre-volunteer programme will continue to be run until March 2003.

Corporate sponsors of the Commonwealth Games are supporting the initiative, offering interviews, training placements and work experience to those taking part in the programme.

All of Bury's 18 ambassadors will assist during the event in one form or another to allow them to put their new skills into practice.