HATS off to students and pupils who attended a graduation with a difference to celebrate them becoming young citizens.

Schoolchildren and sixth formers enjoyed a summer holiday they will never forgot, taking part in adventures, making new friends and developing skills for the future.

More than 500 teenagers took part in the National Citizen Service (NCS) and were recognised for their challenging "extra-curricular" activities at special graduation ceremonies held at The Holiday Inn in Bolton,.

The scheme, which is delivered locally by Bolton Lads and Girls Club is open to 16 and 17-years-old is designed to develop skills for work and life, whilst also taking on new challenges and meeting new friends.

In Bolton Lads and Girls Club’s biggest summer delivery of the NCS programme, young people spent a week at an outdoor activity centre, a week learning life skills and independent living at the University of Bolton halls of residence, and were then given the opportunity to plan and deliver a local social action project whilst based at Bolton College.

Amy Knight, aged 16, who took part in the scheme and attends Thornleigh Salesian College in Astley Bridge, said: “Before NCS I was really shy and I never used to like working as a team because I wasn’t confident in speaking up and sharing my ideas.

"Now I feel much more confident in making new friends, working together and even speaking at the graduation event.

"This is thanks to the support of the staff members who encouraged me to take on new challenges and were always there for me. If someone was to ask me if they should sign up for NCS I would tell them to go for it."

Karen Edwards, Chief Executive of Bolton Lads and Girls Clu, said: “Judging by the feedback and buzz across the programme and at the graduation events the participants all had an enjoyable summer.

They should all be very proud of what they have achieved, particularly making a positive and lasting impact within the community.

"I hope they carry this experience and the skills learnt into their adult life, they have great futures ahead of them."

The project takes place in spring, summer and autumn and is delivered across the country.

It is a recognised programme alongside the Prince's Trust and Duke of Edinburgh awards.

Bolton Lads and Girls Club has been a local provider of NCS for five years resulting in over 2,200 young people from Bolton graduating.

For more information about NCS with Bolton Lads and Girls Club please contact the Club on 01204 540 100 or email ncs@blgc.co.uk