A POPULAR scheme which is both educational and fun will be running once again over the summer holidays.

The Young Wardens scheme, which is free of charge for council tenants’ children aged between seven and 11, focuses on providing education, awareness raising and fun.

The scheme is run by Housing’s neighbourhood warden team, whose role is to work out and about in the community helping to keep estates safe and clean.

In its fifth year, the scheme will take place in Stratton, Pinehurst, Wroughton and Eldene/Liden, and will consist of weekly three-hour sessions run throughout the summer break.

Road and internet safety will form part of the programme, as will learning about stranger danger.

The teams of young people will also make some positive contributions to their local areas through litter picking, planting and other projects, and learning about the importance of recycling.

There will also be visits to a fire station, Swindon’s Household Waste and Recyc- ling Centre and Lotmead Farm in Wanborough.

The scheme got underway this week and places are still available.

This year’s scheme was officially launched by the mayor, Councillor Teresa Page yesterday at Liden Community Centre.

The sessions will be running from 10am-1pm on Mondays in Stratton, on Tuesdays in Liden, Wednes-days in Pinehurst and on Thursdays in Wroughton.

The programme will finish with a celebration barbecue and games event at Lydiard Park on Friday, August 29, where the mayor will present the children with certificates.

Councillor Emma Faramarzi, the Cabinet Member for Housing and Public Safety, said: “Our Young Wardens scheme is a fantastic initiative and gives children the chance to broaden their learning and take on important safety messages, while at the same time having fun and making new friends, which is what the summer holidays is all about.

“It also gives children the opportunity to get involved in some great community projects, helping to foster a sense of pride in their local neighbourhoods.”