LOCAL and national organisations have teamed together to provide new apprenticeship training for three young people to work in the Wyre Forest.

More than £130,000 is being provided to train the apprentices over a three-year period. As well as learning the full range of practical skills required to manage forests, the apprentices are also undertaking a range of training including business studies modules.

Organisations funding the scheme include charitable trust the Guild of St George, Natural England and the Forestry Commission.

The scheme, which is part of Recreating the Forest Landscape being undertaken by the Grow With Wyre project, has also attracted match funding from the Heritage Lottery Fund and Natural Assets.

The three current young people going through the scheme are Andy Jones, of Kidderminster; Rob Moore, of Bewdley, and Fahra Collins, of the Forest of Dean, Gloucestershire.

Cedric Quayle, of the Guild of St George, said: “We decided to support this exciting scheme as we own a significant area of historic woodland in the Wyre Forest which will benefit by having people with the skills needed in the management of these areas and restoring them to their former glory.”

Peter Thaxter, of the Grow With Wyre Partnership, said: “This scheme plays a key role in our Recreating the Forest Landscape project where we are delivering improvements to the rich and diverse Wyre.

“In total 72 square kilometres of unique landscape is being restored costing arou-nd £4 million and benefiting the 1.8 million people who visit the area. Providing people with the skills to undertake this type of work is clearly an essential requirement.”