AN INITIATIVE hoping to tackle youth unemployment has gained the council’s support.

Swanley Town Council called on First Steps to Employment, a not-for-profit company in Swanley that employs tradespeople aged 16 to 24, to carry out repair work at Swanley Park and the library in London Road.

Chief executive of the council Brian Daley said: “First Steps was added to the select list of contractors for small scale jobs and were recently used on a couple.

“We found the guys to be tidy, attend when they said they would and complete the jobs at a very good price.

“Supporting a company training young people is important and helps with the skills of people from our local area.”