30177-22GROUPS of teenagers worked hard over the bank holiday weekend to prove that not all young people are tearaways.

The young Christians were all taking part in a nationwide project called The Noise, to make a difference to their communities.

Groups from Swindon and Highworth shrugged off the rain to undertake voluntary work ranging from digging gardens to litter picking and painting and decorating.

Noise co-ordinator Hannah Frith said: "It is amazing. They are so enthusiastic.

"I think it is about improving their image," Mrs Frith added. "Not all young people are out there to demolish or vandalise things. There is a group of people ready and willing to serve their community."

Among the projects they planned to work on were a revamp of the Walcot community garden and the garden at St John's Church, Swindon, improvements at Stanton Park, the creation of new vegetable beds at Penhill Community Orchard, redecoration at the Penhill and Freshbrook community centres and work at Highworth Pre-school.

Mrs Frith said: "Many of them have actually made a sacrifice and paid some money towards it.

"Some of the projects were funded, but not all of them. I would call it faith in action."

Mrs Frith works for Swindon Youth for Christ, one of the organisations behind the project.