YOUTHS taking part in a scheme to reduce anti-social behaviour demonstrated their firefighting skills.

Graduates of The Local Intervention Fire Education programme scrambled into action at Erith fire station, Erith Road, Belvedere.

The scheme, which is run by the London Fire Brigade, teaches young people aged between 13 and 19 firefighting skills alongside fire crews.

During the course, participants take part in a number of training exercises, including the use of breathing apparatus, casualty rescue, hose line practice and problem-solving tasks.

The scheme aims to improve community relations and to reduce anti-social behaviour directed at firefighters carrying out their duties.

The programme, which began in 2002, has seen more than 200 firefighters take part as course instructors.

Each week-long course costs boroughs between £70,000 to £134,000 per year and is mainly funded by crime and disorder reduction partnerships and local businesses.