EIGHT unemployed young people have completed a two-week work placement with forestry firms.

The Prince's Trust's "Get into Woodlands" programme is a partnership between Herefordshire and Ludlow College (HLC), the Forestry Commission and the Duchy of Cornwall Estate.

The aim is to help the young people move into employment, education or training and provide support.

"It's been heartening to listen to these young people and to see how much they have all achieved," said Rob Dunn, assistant principal at HLC's Holme Lacy Campus.

"I am really proud that the Holme Lacy campus forestry team could be involved in the project and the outcome has been so successful."

The Prince of Wales came up with the idea for the course to try and combat local skills shortages and rising levels of youth unemployment.

Since it started two years ago, 33 young people aged 16 to 24 have completed the programme in Hereford.

Meanwhile, more than 150 farriers and blacksmiths recently descended at the college as part of the national shoeing and shoemaking competition. The event at HLC enabled young farrier apprentices and masters to showcase their skills.

Prizes were handed out throughout the day.

Nigel Brown and Alistair Evans won the Hereford School of Farriery Shield and Jim Burton and Rhodri Thomas scooped the top prize in the master and apprentice live shoeing category.

Other prizes were handed to David Smith and Nicholas Johnsey.

"It was excellent to see such a good turnout of farriers and apprentices from around the country," said Charlotte Gibb, team leader for rural crafts.

"There was strong competition in all classes, which showcased the high level of skill demanded by the farrier industry."