SWINDON Town FC has won Parliamentary praise for improving disadvantaged young people's lives.

The club was applauded for its work with the Prince's Trust Football Initiative. Under the scheme, the club provides venues, work placements and motivational talks for 16 to 25 year-olds who are taking the charity's three-month course.

The courses aim to give deprived young people in Swindon the skills, confidence and drive to get jobs or extra qualifications and help them avoid the poverty trap.

Now MPs have tabled a Westminster early day motion congratulating the club for its role.

They said Swindon Town had helped the Prince's Trust - launched by Prince Charles - achieve great success by tackling social exclusion amongst disadvantaged youngsters .

The EDM - backed by 21 MPs - added: "Swindon Town FC has provided the trust with facilities and special activities, thus making a great contribution to improving the lives of young people in the locality."

Ministers were also urged to use the scheme as a template to crack poverty and deprivation in Britain.

Swindon Town is one of 56 Premier and Football League clubs taking part in the Prince's Trust Football Initiative.

Last year 6,000 people attended Football Initiative courses across the country and 75 per cent have found work or further education.

According to the Prince's Trust, recruitment and retention of youngsters is higher on football club-linked courses than non-football ones.

The charity attributes the success to a partnership. "Instead of asking for cash, we've made it easy for clubs to help us," said a spokeswoman.