FIRE crews have praised youngsters who have completed an innovative community project.

Ellesmere Port firefighters handed out certificates to young people aged 13-16 in the borough who took part in their RESPECT programme.

The scheme aims to re-motivate young people and return them to mainstream education, focusing on prevention, team-work, the consequences of actions and listening to instructions.

The nine-week course ended earlier this month at Ellesmere Port Fire Station where certificates of achievement were presented to the young people.

And as part of the presentation, the young people went on to demonstrate some of the firefighting skills they have been taught.