Young people in West Dunbartonshire are being urged to take part in a new 'canal college' scheme designed to get more people to learn a series of practical outdoors skills.

The canal college is being run by the Scottish Waterways Trust in three locations - West Dunbartonshire, Inverness and Falkirk - from this month, and provides young people with accredited qualifications, build confidence and overcome barriers to employment and education.

As part of the programme, participants are given two days of skills training every week for a total of 14 weeks, learning techniques of stonemasonry, conservation and other important skills on Scotland's canal network.

The local people involved in the programme take part in volunteer mentors and use their experiences to guide young people, learning some skills along the way.

The canal college programme is open to anyone aged between 16 and 30 not in education, training or employment, with 70 per cent of those completing canal college secure work, further education or volunteering opportunities and is free for those eligible.