Youngsters spruce up national treasure

A GROUP of young volunteers will be giving Scotland's longest and tallest aqueduct a new lease of life today as part of a conservation project.

Six individuals working with the Green Action project, designed for people aged 16-24, will be hitting the banks of the Union Canal armed with paint brushes to begin work on the Avon Aqueduct.

The project was created by the charity the Waterways Trust Scotland for people from the Falkirk area to increase their employability skills.

The development director of the charity, Karen Moore, said: "Employment statistics for the Falkirk area have continually highlighted the many issues for the younger generation."

Alan Forrester, the project co-ordinator, said: "Green Action offers young people a focus, training and support."