Bradford's Motor Education Project has become the first voluntary organisation in the district to receive a quality award for its youth work.

The scheme, which operates in areas with high car crime rates and helps young people learn new skills and gain confidence, has received the stamp of approval from Bradford Council which uses Ofsted-type criteria to assess such organisations.

Areas which have been looked at include education standards, quality of youth work, staffing and development, and project management.

Spokesman Trevor Roberts said it had been an in-depth look at the project's work.

"To us it's quite important because we're the first voluntary sector group to be subject to it," he said. "It means that we can take the project out to sponsors and say that we're a bona fide organisation, which will benefit us.

"It's also given us action points to follow so we're not complacent and can build on our improvements."

The Motor Education Project is a registered charity set up in 1983 for young people aged 12 and upwards. Concentrating on motoring activities, it aims to give youngsters rights and responsibilities to build their confidence and equip them with practical and social skills for adult life.

Current schemes include a go-kart track in Holme Wood, where they learn mechanical and safety skills to maintain equipment and the rebuilding of derelict vehicles and bikes which are returned to the community. The organisation also targets driving skills and attitudes. And Mr Roberts is keen to expand into different areas such as marine projects.

"Last year we did a water safety project for people using digital cameras at the canal and downloading information onto websites," he said. "Our next project is to rebuild derelict canal boats as a way of putting them back into use, but more to raise understanding of the leisure and tourism industry."

A council spokesperson said that the Quality Audit Team had been set up in 1997 to improve youth services.

He said: "Our recent Quality Audit of the project found that they performed well against a variety of criteria. In particular we found that the project staff relate well to the young people in a variety of ways."

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