WORCESTER City's youth programme continues to thrive following their recognition as a charter standard development club.

The Blue and Whites, who ground-share with Kidderminster Harriers at Aggborough, have been awarded the prestigious grading by the Football Association.

City have teams from under 11s through to under 18s who all play in the NERF Junior Premier League.

They also have an under 18s side in the Midland Floodlit Youth League as well as links with Worcester College of Technology and University of Worcester.

In addition, coaches from the club oversee skills sessions at schools in the city and there are plans to start a girls team next season, which would see their charter standard raised to that of a community club, the highest FA grade available.

Youth development director Mark Wilcox said: "There's been an awful lot of hard work but I am chuffed to bits.

"From the work we have done we have gone straight in a development standard level and very soon we will get the community status through linking with the various schools.

"Now we haven't got a home ground in the city, having that presence around is vital to keeping the profile of Worcester City up.

"We have got coaches going into schools and the only thing we need to do is have a girls team so we are forming one next season."

Wilcox, who has been in the role for two years, added: "All of the managers and coaches have become licensed coach members which means they have got up to date qualifications.

"Their child protection is in order and their first aid is up to date, which is also all part of the Junior Premier League rules.

"We have to adhere to the Respect campaign, which goes throughout football, making sure that the managers dress accordingly, are in their technical areas, behave themselves and control the parents and players in the team."

This season has seen the under 11s win their league and reach the cup final later this month, while the under 13s, who are on course to finish runners-up in the league, are also in the cup final for their age group.

Trials for next season are also taking place on the 3G pitch at the University of Worcester's St John's campus later this month.

Sessions for the under 13s, 14s, 16s and 18s are being held on Saturday, May 17, between 9.30am and 11.30am for the under 13s and 14s and 11.45am to 1.45pm for the latter two groups.

On Sunday, May 18, the under 12s, 15s and 18s' midweek floodlit youth team get their chance. Trials are from 12.15pm to 2.15pm for the first two age groups and from 2.30pm to 4pm for the under 18s.

Trials for the girls team are in the Sunday between 2.30pm and 4pm.

For more details, visit worcestercityfc.com