BUILDING their own workshop is the latest project for the Malvern Young Engineers, who have been working and learning together at a variety of venues since 1999.

The youngsters, aged from 12 to 15, have wanted their own base for a long time, but their appeals for somewhere in the Worcester area have come to nothing.

They began with engineering workshops at Malvern Hills College and have widened their scope and experience with sessions at Worcester College of Technology and special projects at Stafford University.

Now, one of their parents has given them space to build a giant shed, 24ft x 16ft, on a property in North Wales, not far from Ffestiniog, Snowdonia.

So far, nine youngsters from the Worcester and Malvern areas have been involved in clearing the site and building the foundations, using reclaimed stones from collapsed dry stone walls.

Parents Judy Thomas and Helen Ford were kept busy mixing concrete during the latest week's work.

"Now we are ready to start building, but we need money for materials and, ideally, someone with skills, so that we can work alongside them, learning as we go," said Mrs Thomas.

"It's like an apprenticeship of sorts. You are building something in the best possible way, that you can use for yourself and have the satisfaction of knowing you have built it."

With a base of their own for building and design projects, they could extend skills they have learnt at Worcester College of Technology, during twilight sessions in woodwork, animation and computers over the last three terms.

If suitable funding can be found, they want to continue with more classes there next term.

For more information call Judy Thomas on 01905 831100.