AN MP has described a project which transformed the lives of young offenders as “inspirational”.

Peter Luff visited the county-wide project being run by local charity YSS at its Elmley Lovett headquarters.

The independent charity has more than 25 years’ experience of providing community-based support services for children, young people, adults and families who are vulnerable or have complex needs.

Its Transition to Adulthood (T2A) pilot project in West Mercia, funded by Barrow Cadbury Trust, works intensively with 16 to 24-year-olds in the criminal justice system.

The young adults shared their views on a number of issues as well as hearing from Mr Luff on what the role of an MP involves.

David Andrewartha, acting team manager YSS, and T2A keyworker Alison Steedman teamed up with three young people to talk to the MP about some of the experiences of the young adults with whom the charity works.

Mr Luff said: “I saw that it is perfectly possible to turn around young lives and give people who have fallen into bad company or made serious errors of judgement a completely fresh start.

“The testimony I heard from young offenders about the effectiveness and importance of this scheme was really impressive and I congratulate everyone involved.”