By SUZANNE ELSWORTH

BIRCHWOOD teenagers are invited to join a hot new initiative which will help them to make their mark in the community.

Cheshire Fire Brigade is planning to launch a fire cadet scheme in April, which will be based at the Ordnance Avenue fire station.

Staff are in the process of recruiting both cadets and volunteer staff, and posters will soon be delivered to each high school in the Birchwood area as well as places where young people meet.

The project is led by Birchwood fire station's commander, Dave Dowling.

He told the GUARDIAN: "We wish to recruit approximately 15 cadets from a broad section of society in the Birchwood area, between the ages of 13 and 16.

"Due to the small number of places our aim is to recruit young people who are disadvantaged in some way and will benefit from confidence-building.

"They will start with a 12-week programme, meeting once a week, and will be trained in a variety of skills including knots and lines, hose drills, use of ladders, health and safety and manual-handling education."

And he says that the youngsters will have something to show for all their hard work at the end of the course.

"On completion of their service each cadet will have attained an NVQ level 2, a first aid qualification, completed an outdoor pursuits course, participated in the Duke of Edinburgh Award Scheme and taken the written driving test," he said.

"The unit has great potential for the community and will assist in delivering safety messages to the vulnerable in society."

Anyone interested in joining as a cadet can attend an open evening with their parents or guardians at Birchwood fire station on Wednesday, February 28, at 6.30pm. Prospective volunteer leaders are also welcome.

At this event there will be the opportunity to discuss the course and take away an application form. For further details contact Dave Dowling on 818379 or e-mail ddowling @cheshirefire.co.uk