A GRANDMOTHER’S bond with her church has been strengthened after her grandson is set to become involved in its restoration.

Darren Mason, of St John’s, Worcester, has been accepted onto an apprenticeship as part of the regeneration of Dines Green by national contractor and developer, Willmott Dixon, which is working with Worcester Community Housing on the scheme.

The apprenticeship will see the 19-year-old working on St Michael’s Church, where his 67-year-old grandmother, Val Mason, has been a member of the congregation for 30 years.

And he said his nan was happy he was working on such an important venue, while gaining new skills.

“I am pleased to have been given this opportunity to build my potential and earn qualifications at the same time,” he said. “I have a job and the church is rebuilt.”

A second Worcester teenager has also got his foot on the career ladder thanks to the scheme.

Ryan Marston, 16, of Dines Green, Worcester, has also been recruited to the apprenticeship scheme.

The 15-month apprenticeship programme will see Darren and Ryan study all main trades in the construction industry for one day a week at the Central Construction Training Cen-tre, in Cannock.

Transport to and from the centre is provided with the rest of the week spent on site with trade mentors.

The rejuvenation of Dines Green will see 84 new homes, five shops, a youth centre and a church across four sites being built by spring 2015.