YOUNG people across the county will have new opportunities to get involved with nature following a £5,000 investment.

Wiltshire Wildlife Community Energy has awarded the money to youth work charity Seeds 4 Success, which aims to develop young people through practical volunteering experiences.

The grant handed to the charity is paying for school holiday and reward sessions for mainly secondary-school-aged young people, including students with special educational needs and disabilities.

Peter Newell, chairman of the Wiltshire Wildlife Community Energy Fund Group, said: “We’re delighted to be funding a project which is having such a positive impact on local young people, communities and the environment.”

Sessions are based around learning woodwork skills and carrying out practical nature conservation tasks such as tree planting, footpath maintenance, and riverbank clearance and restoration.

In addition to the skills and knowledge gained, young people learn more about the environment as well as developing teamwork, co-operation, problem-solving, and project management skills.