Aldbourne Youth Council is celebrating after the charity became self-sufficient and received a £1,755 donation.

Hales Cottage in Aldbourne is run through Community Junction, a youth and community centre managed by young people, and is available for holiday let through the website cottages4you.

In its first year the property has raised more than £6,600 through holiday bookings, which has been reinvested back into the Community Junction.

Aldbourne Youth Council is run and managed entirely by children aged 11 and over, with minimal support by elected adult trustees.

It has recently received a Prince of Wales award.

The young team take on all responsibilities of running a holiday let, gaining valuable business experience and learning new skills.

Volunteers in the village have supported their work by providing professional services, either discounted or free, including decorators, electricians and plumbers.

Aldbourne Youth Council chairman Amber Phelps, 14, said: “The holiday let gives us the opportunity to experience and learn things that aren’t taught in school.

“Our trustees are always there to guide us if our ideas are a bit too unrealistic.

“None of this would be possible without the amazingly generous support of the Kingham Family Trust, who purchased the building for us in the first place and have supported us through the whole project.”

Last Tuesday the youth council was handed a cheque from Aldbourne Chase Farms and friends for £1,755 to help them expand the range of activities at the junction.