BLACKPOOL teenagers are being urged to maximise their pocket money earning potential by signing up for a course in babysitting.

The 10-week course caters for youngsters aged 12 to 18 and will be held from 7pm to 9.30pm at Grangers Youth Centre, Grange Park, Blackpool, every Tuesday.

Organised by Blackpool Borough Council Youth Service, each course participant will earn a Babysitting Certificate which can be added to a future CV or Record of Achievement.

Blackpool Youth Worker, Wendy Pearce said: "This is the eighth year we've run the course and it's getting more and more popular.

"We try to teach about all aspects of caring for a child from basic parenting skills to thinking about child development.

"There are also a number of outside organisations who come into the classes to teach skills such as health, safety and basic first aid.

"But there is also a lot of practical training with computerised 'baby' dolls and sessions where we have to put ourselves in the child's shoes and feed each other.

"The course is not just a way of earning a bit more spending money but something that can be used for life and we're now in the process of trying to get the certificate accredited by Blackpool & the Fylde College."

A special introductory evening is organised at the Dinmore Avenue centre on Tuesday, January 27 for anybody interested in taking part.

For further information contact Wendy Pearce at Blackpool Borough Council Youth Service on 01253 358549.