A PROJECT using railways to help young people move forward has been celebrated with a new photo plaque at Northwich Station.

The Young Roots project, funded by the Heritage Lottery, allowed 20 young people who were not in education, employment or training, to learn life skills on the Mid Cheshire Line.

David Briggs, the Lord Lieutenant of Cheshire, unveiled the plaque with Clr Bob Robinson, mayor of Northwich, and Clr Bernice Walmsley, mayor of Middlewich.

Mr Briggs said: “Not every young person has the same life chances and it is good to hear that this unique Young Roots Rail Heritage Project has had a positive outcome with some of these young people proving their confidence by applying for jobs and gaining employment and further training.

“Everyone involved should be congratulated because this project really has changed some young people's lives”.

Sally Buttifant, the Mid Community Rail Partnership rail officer, said: “Over the weeks we have seen young people, who had no confidence at all, build up their abilities and apply for jobs.

“All of these young people have gone on to do further training at either Mid Cheshire College or Reaseheath or are now in work. “One of the young people, who is now working on the Winsford Industrial Estate, told me that it was the Young Roots Project that gave him the confidence to go for the job and when interviewed he had something positive to tell the employer.”