YOUNG leaders were trained and tested in a week-long course in the Cheshire countryside.

A group of 13 of the county's students took part in the Rotary Youth Leadership Course, which was based at the Petty Pool Trust, in Sandiway, and Grozone Community Garden, in Northwich town centre.

The scheme helps teenagers to develop skills and realise their potential as future leaders of the community as they lead and are led and learn new skills within a challenging environment.

They took part in activities like climbing, abseiling, zip wire, crate stacks, canoeing, Jacobs Ladder and The Leap of Faith.

Keith Trinnaman, chairman of the north west's Rotary Youth Leadership Awards management team, said: "Rotary Clubs realise the potential of running these courses, not only will it develop the youth of today, but also it will provide potential membership for Rotary through parents, teachers and mentors of the youngsters.

"There is also the potential that these students will go on to form Interact or Rotoract Clubs, thus becoming the foundation for Rotary’s future.

"It is always wonderful to see how, in just a short space of time, these young people develop their skills and make lasting friendships with other students on the course."

The course is now in its seventh year and in that time around 80 students have benefitted from the experience.

The students are ‘sponsored’ by Rotary clubs within the north west Rotary District, which identify and send along the students who have demonstrated some leadership potential.