A TEENAGER is doing his bit to make his neighbourhood a nicer place after taking part in a youth leadership project.

Tyler Cocker, 14, from Shadsworth, took part in the Youth Ambassador programme, delivered by Blackburn Youth Zone.

He has since been making a name for himself within his community after him and a friend became litter picking sensations collecting 16 bags of litter from the streets in just three days.

Tyler got his friends together to help him litter-pick after school.

The project, which aims to provide 12 to 16-year-olds with the opportunity to become more involved in their community, has been funded through Blackburn with Darwen’s Our Community, Our Future social integration funding.

Tyler said: “Through doing the project I gained the confidence to believe that I could make a difference in my community.

“I had noticed a lot of litter lying around the streets. It makes the area look really scruffy and I was worried about the harm it would cause to wildlife.

“After researching I found the ‘Keep Blackburn Tidy’ page on Facebook and knew this was something I could get involved with.”

For more information on the Youth Ambassador project call 01254 292000.