A DUKE of Edinburgh award centre in Timperley is celebrating a bumper first year - and it is set to go from strength to strength.

Sixty young people have completed expeditions since the centre was launched in November 2015.

And now the award hub has announced plans to increase its capacity to more than 100 as it prepares for a second year.

Participants at the centre, based at Holy Cross Church in Timperley, have collectively walked the equivalent of Land's End to John O’Groats and back to complete their practice and qualifying expeditions at bronze and silver level.

The centre also plans to offer both walking and cycling expeditions, and the opportunity for those completing the silver level to progress to gold in 2017.

Its work was given a further boost earlier this year with the award of a grant from the Trafford Housing Trust Community Panel.

Paul Huxley, chairman of the Altrincham panel, said:“We want to make a real difference to the places where we live and supporting this project means 1,700 hours of community volunteering will be delivered over the next year.

"We are also keen to ensure that the award is as accessible as possible to our young people regardless of their family circumstances. Our funding will be used to purchase a pool of personal outdoor equipment required for the expeditions.”

Centre manager Andy Allan said: “We are fortunate to have secured a second round of funding so the centre now has a substantial pool of group and personal expedition equipment.

"To increase capacity we need to expand our cohort of adult volunteers. We are looking for people who can work with the teams to train, mentor and supervise their expeditions, and for administrative support to help monitor the physical, skill and volunteering sections of the award.

"We have set aside funds to ensure that our adult leaders are fully trained and supported.”

The Vicar of Timperley, the Rev Jim Bridgman, said: “We introduced DofE at Holy Cross because its holistic approach chimes with the mission of the church, helping people to grow and develop their mental, physical, emotional, and spiritual needs. "We’ve certainly noticed a buzz around the church on a Thursday night as the young people prepare for their final presentations and look forward to a special service in January at which the Bishop of Stockport, the Rt Rev Libby Lane, will present the first batch of awards.”

Paul Griffiths, operations manager for DofE in Greater Manchester, said “It’s been great to see the team at Timperley get up and running so quickly and with the plans announced today they will be the fastest growing centre in our region. "We now have more than 10,000 taking part in Greater Manchester and the DofE is the world’s leading youth achievement award, giving millions of 13 to 24-year-olds the opportunity to be the very best they can be.”

A meeting for young people, their parents and adults who are interested in volunteering to help at the centre will be held at 7.30pm on Sunday, November 13 at Holy Cross Church Hall, Park Road, Timperley.

The DofE Award scheme is celebrating its 60th anniversary this year. For more information contact dofetimperley@gmail.com T: 07342 122 144 www.facebook.com/dofetimperley