TWO Times Territory teenagers have been praised by the Prime Minister for joining a group which helps the unemployed prepare for work. Ben Halliday, 17, and Johnny Carter, 18, met PM Gordon Brown in Downing Street at a ceremony celebrating a Mill Green

TWO Times Territory teenagers have been praised by the Prime Minister for joining a group which helps the unemployed prepare for work.

Ben Halliday, 17, and Johnny Carter, 18, met PM Gordon Brown in Downing Street at a ceremony celebrating a Mill Green horticultural training scheme.

The twosome are both part of Groundwork Hertfordshire's Green Team - a 16-week initiative helping youngsters not in employment, education or training to develop their confidence, skills and experience in order to find work.

Recruits learn about outdoor environmental work such as landscaping, planting, tree maintenance and pond clearance, and they can gain the City & Guilds qualification in land based studies.

Ben's mum Jolan, of Codicote Road, Welwyn, told the Welwyn & Hatfield Times: "Ben really enjoyed himself at the ceremony on July 22.

"The course [which he passed] was a great experience for him and now he is so busy working!"

Johnny, of Knella Road, WGC, added: "It was a good experience.

"Green Team is a very good course and I've met quite a few friends as well as gain a distinction in my City & Guilds qualification."

Steve Harvey, executive director of Green Team, which has been running since January 2008, said: "These guys work extremely hard for their community and to have their contribution recognised by the Prime Minister is a wonderful honour and something we are all extremely very proud of."

For more information on Groundwork Hertfordshire call 01707 260129 or visit www.groundwork.org.uk/hertfordshire