YOUNG people from Malvern have been learning new skills during the summer holidays.

Some youngsters have been acquiring new skills as part of two weeks of outdoor activities in the grounds of Malvern Youth Centre, Albert Road North.

Taught by an experienced 'forest school' teacher, teenagers aged 10-14 have been building shelters out of hazel and willow branches, treasure-hunting, learning bushcraft firelighting and green woodwork techniques, and taking part in lots of games and team challenges.

They have also been building a clay oven to use to bake home-made pizza and bread.

Jon White of the youth centre said: "We've had about 15 or 16 young people each day. It's about spending as much time as possible outdoors, so we haven't let the rain bother us too much."

Meanwhile, boredom was one of the few things not on the agenda for other youngsters as they enjoyed an action-packed summer holiday club at Malvern St James school.

Girls aged from seven-11 enjoyed a host of activities ranging from windsurfing and sculpting to cooking, sports and even movie-making during the two-week-long Active Angels scheme.

For the first time the school also hosted a new “Cheeky Cherubs” club for younger girls aged three to six.

At the end of each week participants from both groups and their family and friends enjoyed celebratory barbecues featuring demonstrations of the new skills the youngsters had learned.

Delighted Active Angels director Marina Sherwood said it had been the summer school’s most successful year to date.

“The continued success of Active Angels and the fantastic response to our new holiday club, Cheeky Cherubs, is a clear indication that we are delivering a product that meets the needs of both parents and children,” she said. “Our emphasis will always remain on providing a safe, fun filled environment where girls can experience new things, make new friends and develop the confidence to be independent young ladies.”