NINE young people from across East Lancashire have graduated with honours from the latest ‘Get Into Hospital’ work opportunity programme.

The programme is run by The Prince’s Trust in partnership with East Lancashire Hospitals Trust.

The four-week ‘Get Into Hospital’ programme gave the group valuable work experience in finance, catering, patient services and laundry services at Burnley General and Royal Blackburn hospital's.

This will help equip them with skills and experience that will make them more employable.

The High Sheriff of Lancashire, The Hon Ralph Christopher Assheton TD DL joined trust acting chief executive professor Damian Riley to present students with certificates at a special graduation ceremony at the hospital.

Graduating from the latest programme are Bethany Almond, Billie-Jo Brennan, Declan Hawthornthwaite, Leanne Howard, Austin Lord, James Mitchell, Zalaika Ramzan and Sarah Vale.

Suzanne Lang, who co-ordinated the course for the trust, said: 'We are really proud of the young people - they have shown commitment, hard work and strength of character.

"We support each person throughout the 'Get Into Hospital' Programme and look forward to continuing our relationship with The Prince's Trust to support more young people into permanent employment at East Lancashire Hospitals."