SUGGESTIONS that a youth training garage to train local youths in car mechanics have been given a red light by a feasibility study into the plan. The proposal, drawn up by SIPs, aimed to establish a scheme which would trade with the public and be self-sufficient in two years.

But on looking into the situation it was found that there are less than half as many mechanics now compared to 25 years ago. This is due to the increased reliability of cars, increasingly stringent MOTs which take older cars off the road, and a tendency for insurance companies to write off cars sooner. So garages that once employed 20 to 25 mechanics now only have 7 or 8.

However, the news is not all bad: the idea of a Car Club, a Banger Racing project or a Go-Kart and Road Safety Project were not rejected out of hand. The aim of such projects is to promote personal development, give training and reduce levels of crime and drug involvement.