CALLING all young people, businesses and community projects – the Prince’s Trust in Dorset needs you.

The Prince’s Trust was established in 1976 and aims to give young people key skills, confidence and motivation and enable them to move into work, education or training.

On January 28 next year, Dorset Fire and Rescue Service (DFRS) will start its 100th team.

It is looking for young people between the ages of 16 and 25 to take part in a 12-week programme and businesses and local community groups to offer work placements and community projects for the team members to transform.

Last year more than 60 young people participated in the DFRS Prince’s Trust teams, with 100 per cent of youngsters gaining a Princes Trust certificate in employment, teamwork and community skills.

In 2013, double the current amount of teams will be able to take part, with 10 teams running across Dorset.

This means that around 130 young people will have the chance to participate.

Chief fire officer Darran Gunter said: “I am proud of the Prince’s Trust programme that Dorset Fire and Rescue Service is able to offer. We are able to help these young people become a real part of their community as well as giving them skills in teamwork, employment and staying safe – helping them to inspire themselves and reach their full potential.”

As part of running these teams, DFRS is asking the community for support to suggest potential projects or work placements and apprenticeships for the young people to do.

Marie-Clare Nicholson, Princes Trust franchise manager at Dorset Fire and Rescue Service said she was thrilled the service were about to start running their 100th team.

She said: “As a franchise we have faced many challenges over the last 15 years we have been running but we have made it.”

She called on the community to get their thinking caps on and come up with some ideas of projects the team could help with.

She said: “We hope to celebrate this team’s success at their final presentation at Lulworth Castle in April, but before we get there we have several other hurdles to jump.

“We are particularly looking for young people to take part in the team and community projects in the Weymouth area for them to undertake.”

There will be an event for interested parties to get more details at Weymouth Community Safety Centre on November 23 from 10am-12pm.