THE Prime Minister has heaped praise on a pioneering Bolton initiative for local people.

Tony Blair said he was "impressed" by a newspaper produced by trainees on the government's New Deal scheme.

The trainees from CLEEA training organisation (Central Lancashire Engineering Employer's Association) had worked with the BEN's special project editor Angelina Aspinall to produce their own 16-page newspaper 'CLEEA Speaking.'

Editor of the publication Paul Haslam received a personal reply from the Prime Minister after David Crausby MP forwarded a copy of the first issue to Westminster. Mr Blair said: "It is a very good effort, reflecting a lot of hard work and flair."

And MP for Bolton North East David Crausby paid a visit to CLEEA Training on Chorley Street this week to find out more about the project.

Realistic

CLEEA centre manager Joanna Scott explained: "The newspaper created a more realistic way for trainees to gather evidence towards their NVQs. Projects like these help put skills into context."

Head of Administration Antony Aston added: "Seeing an end product has contributed to the success of the project - and the response from companies we deal with has been an important factor too."

Trainee Margaret Benson became involved in producing the newspaper after enrolling on the government's New Deal for lone parents having spent 12 years at home caring for her son.

She said: "It has been a stepping stone and it has given me the confidence to get back into the world of work."

Joanna Scott congratulated the trainees and confirmed that they can look forward to working on more editions of 'CLEEA Speaking' in the near future.

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