A TRAINING course at Grangeway, Runcorn, has proved a big hit with its young members.

Students at Halton Youth Academy aged between 16 and 19 classified as NEET (not in education, employment or training) have been presented with certificates for completing the team's latest 12-week HITS programme.

HITS has come a long way since it was formed as the Halton Intermediate Treatment Scheme in 1982 for youngsters excluded from schools or with poor attendance records.

The name now stands for Hope Inclusion Time and Success and its courses have been running since last September, with the academy offering priority to youngsters with multiple barriers to learning or employment.

Nivita Vij, spokesperson for HITS, said: 'Our focus is to prepare people to move on to positive progression.

'Many of our students have 'moved on' to further training or have found full employment through work experience placements that we have set up.'

The next HITS course will start at Bridgeview, 84 Grangeway, Runcorn, on Monday, September 4.

To find out more details contact Nivita Vij on 01928 564663.