LANCASHIRE Fire and Rescue Service is giving people in Preston and South Ribble a chance to take up their hot offer -- and gain a qualification in the process.

In a joint effort with the Prince's Trust Volunteers, an organisation founded by Prince Charles, the emergency force are looking for teams of energetic young people to join a 12-week programme aimed at giving them a chance to participate in fun events such as an army day, self defence classes, and community projects.

Each team is made up of 12 people aged 16-25 either working, in education or unemployed from any background and of any ability level and they will be expected to pull together to complete many challenges.

But you'll have to be quick as you need to register for the programme before Monday, January 14.

Lisa Worthington, team leader for the scheme, said: "The programme boosts self-confidence and we manage to get 93 per cent of people into employment and the remainder into education. We're all about giving young people a chance they wouldn't normally get."

Other elements of the programme include work placements for unemployed, leadership skills workshops, sports tournaments and fundraising initiatives.

On completion of the course team members can gain qualifications to NVQ standard and can come out with certificates in first aid, fire safety, food safety and a City & Guilds Profile of Achievement.

Contact Lisa on 01772 455710 for details before Monday.