GREEN-FINGERED teenagers took part in a community conservation project to give them a greater understanding of the environment.

The Heritage Challenge at Stanton Park was organised by the National Trust in partnership with Youth Information Swindon (YIS).

It is part of a scheme designed to encourage young people to make a positive contribution to their community and understand the importance of looking after themselves by eating a healthy, balanced diet.

The project, which caters for youngsters who do not access mainstream services, started on March 12.

So far teenagers have visited Coleshill Organic Farm to look at how beef and arable farming works and the benefits from eating organic food.

They also conducted a price analysis comparing organic food with other food produce from supermarkets.

There was also a visit to a National Trust estate in Coleshill and a tour around the National Trust's Heelis headquarters building in Kemble Drive. And they have even taken part in cookery workshops to learn how to cook organic recipes on a budget.

Fourteen-year-old Jack gave the project a resounding thumbs up.

"The project has helped me to understand where we live and how things work. It been a good experience," he said.

And Aaron, 14, welcomed the tree-felling exercise.

He said: "I have really enjoyed being outside and helping to cut down the trees."

Nickey Pardoe, a youth involvement officer for the National Trust, said: "Heritage Challenge is about getting young people to engage with the National Trust to learn skills that are relevant to their lives and communities."

YIS workers Julia Graw and Marie Manser said the project enabled young people to make more informed and effective life choices by learning and developing skills that are transferable to their every day lives.

Marie said: "The young people's confidence, decision-making skills and sense of responsibility has developed by participating in the project.

"Through The National Trust and YIS working in partnership it has benefited the young people and the local community."