YOUNG people in villages the Helensburgh area have grabbed an opportunity to gain new skills and give something back to their communities.

Last year a mobile police office stopped in villages across the area including Arrochar, Kilcreggan and Garelochhead, and there was such a good response PC Andrew Crawford of Helensburgh Police Station was inundated.

He said before he knew it he was hosting 'youth cafes' in the back of the van.

In response to the local youth telling him of a familiar complaint that there was nothing to do and they were bored, he made inquiries and contacted an organisation called Community Links.

"I had a great response with the mobile police van. On one occasion in Kilcreggan the children brought sweets, juice and even popcorn for the onboard microwave," explained PC Crawford.

"With this ringing in my head I made some inquiries, and explained the problems I had encountered and the geography of the area, which was of course an issue. The group, however, got on board immediately."

PC Crawford put Community Links in touch with youth organisations in Kilcreggan, Arrochar and Garelochhead, and the project has started to snowball.

On Saturday a course began called ACTIVATE and the aim is for Community Links to enrol local people who are willing to give something back to their own communities.

They train them up and show them how to organise events, and providing support along the way, let the groups get on with their projects.

The 50-hour programme is being run with more than 20 participants.

The first class took place on Saturday at Centre81 in Garelochhead with another three weekend classes h planned over the coming weeks at the centre and Three Village Halls in Arrochar.