THEY have helped the needy, taken on sporting challenges and even put on their own festival.

An army of 1,400 youngsters from across Hampshire have gone out into their communities to make a difference and try something new as part of the National Citizenship Service (NCS).

The 15 and 16-year-olds spent a week taking part in team-building activities in Devon which included taking on an obstacle course similar to the one featured on TV's Total Wipeout, learning to surf and exploring the coastlines on coasteering sessions.

They then returned to Hampshire for a week of special workshops where they tried their hands at woodwork, had an insight into life in the army and volunteered with 2Saints homelessness charity in Southampton.

But on their third and fourth weeks they became social entrepreneurs.

The youngsters came up with a plan on how they could support a cause by volunteering or raising cash for charity - and they put their plans to the NCS's own Dragon's Den 'dragons' who judged each project.

In teams of 10 to 15, they helped blind and partially sighted people at Eastleigh-based charity Open Sight, spruced up Itchen Valley Country Park with a litter pick and helped build a special sensory garden for children at Thornden School in Eastleigh.

They brought a taste of the Olympics to Eastleigh with an array of sporting challenges which raised hundreds for charity, including a sponsored swim at Red Lodge in Chilworth, a sponsored cycle and charity football tournament at Fleming Park and a fundraising funrun at Lakeside Park.

Meanwhile, another group filled Southampton Sports Ground in Wide Lane with music and entertainment with their own festival featuring an adult bouncy castle, fire engines and a barbecue.

Rebecca Thomas from Romsey's Mountbatten School, which is leading Hampshire's NCS, said: "Numbers are increasing every year. It just keeps getting bigger.

"They get to do something great and meet loads of new people while trying something that they have never done before. They get loads of unique opportunities from it."

Their volunteering efforts and fundraisers will carry on today and tomorrow when youngsters help at the Smile Support Office in Chickenhall Lane, host their own market stall at Eastleigh Market and even have their legs waxed to raise more cash.

For more information about the scheme visit ncsyes.co.uk

More youngsters will be taking part in the next series of events as part of the government's NCS scheme in October, including students from Eastleigh College.