MENTORS of the SMASH youth project are now fully prepared to help young people in Swindon.

Mayor Derek Benfield presented 14 mentors with their course training certificates at the civic offices in Euclid Street over the weekend.

SMASH, Swindon Mentoring and Self Help, aims to offer vulnerable young people friendly advice.

The volunteer mentors will each be allocated a youngster between 13 and 18 years old to support in times of need.

Andrew Parsons, 22, from Park North, said: "My teenage years were quite problematic, so I now want to give something back to the community and help youngsters."

Katy Dawson, 23, from Lechlade, is equally keen to offer a sympathetic ear.

She said: "Basically we will be a friend and someone who they can turn to during difficult times."

Law students Victoria Anderson, 19, from Lower Stratton, and Sophie Garring-ton, 19, from Nine Elms, hope it will give them hands on experience.

Sophie said: "I want to be a family lawyer, so this project seemed an ideal way to introduce myself to this field of work."

The mentors have just completed a 10-week training course to prepare for the role.

Julie Mycock, SMASH project administrator, said: "It is an exciting project and we are thrilled with the response from people wanting to get involved."

The teenagers who will be helped are referred by care agencies, schools and doctors.