YOUNG people have been gaining new skills at an animal sanctuary as part of a national citizenship scheme.

Twelve youngsters from South West Durham spent two days with the Ark on the Edge Animal Sanctuary, near Woodland, in Teesdale, this week as part of a programme by the National Citizenship Service.

On Wednesday, the teenagers, who are all aged 16 or 17, raised £150 for the charity by holding a tombola at the Pets at Home shop, in Bishop Auckland.

But it was Thursday that proved the real challenge as the team took to looking after the animals themselves while also re-staining the sanctuary’s fences and other hands on jobs that needed completing.

Catherine Soulsby, 16, helped organise the opportunity after seeing her mother, a vet, attend animals at the sanctuary before.

The youngster, of Butterknowle, Teesdale, said: “We have all had a really great experience and found we changed a bit and grew and are now all friends for life.”

Sanctuary owner, Pat Kingsnorth, praised the teenagers for all their help and enthusiasm helping with both the animals and running of the sanctuary.

“Very busy bunch and all very nice and polite,” she said. “Thank you guys; brilliant day.”