A GROUP of teenage boys have successfully completed an innovative course designed to help them make the most of their lives.

The nine were the first group from the town to take part in the Cleveland Fire Brigade's Local Intervention Fire Education (Life) scheme, which aims to provide young people with valuable training opportunities, principally through fire service-related activities.

Participants are encouraged to make the most of their physical and mental skills, and become more responsible and caring members of the community.

The boys were referred to the Life scheme via the Safer Hartlepool Partnership from the Hartlepool Anti-Social Behaviour Unit, Hartlepool Youth Offending Team and the Fast Project.

Vanessa Waller, an anti-social behaviour officer with the Safer Hartlepool Partnership, said: "We hope that the scheme has proved to be a life-changing experience for the youngsters who took part.

"Throughout the week, we saw the boys undergo a significant change. They all became much more confident and displayed a willingness to take on more responsibility.

"Hopefully, this will stand them in good stead for the future."

The boys who took part in the course were Robbie Owens, Scott Watt, Freddy Robinson, Carl Whitehead, Luke Hutchinson, Craig Hutchinson, Mark Sharpe, John Watson and David Sowerby.