A pilot project to steer young offenders away from a life of crime has been such a success that it is to be extended.
Hampshire County Council's youth panel has approved the further development of the project and praised the work of those involved in the scheme.
Hampshire County Council's Youth Service and the Wessex Youth Offending Team set up the project in 1999 to promote the Duke of Edinburgh's Award in the south of the county to young offenders and those at risk of turning to crime.
It is to continue for another two years and will be extended to cover the southern Test Valley, the New Forest and Eastleigh.
Already, 173 young people have been involved in the project with 33 gaining Duke of Edinburgh's Award certificates for their efforts.
Six months on, less than 1% of young people involved in the project reoffended compared to a figure of 23% for those who were not involved in the project.
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