NAT WEST bank is helping a group of Southampton youngsters get a firm grip on their finances.

The youngsters, from the city's Fairbridge charity which works with local 13 to 25-year-olds, are taking part in a life skills course funded by the bank.

It aims to help them understand more about the everyday practicalities of looking after themselves and running a household, including budgeting to pay bills and running a bank account.

As part of the course, the group is about to head off for a week in Wales where they will practise the skills they have learnt by undertaking a mock scenario based on real life experiences.

The Southampton course forms part of NatWest's £1.4m funding of Fairbridge's Independent Living Skills courses, which aim to provide socially excluded young people with essential life skills, such as living on a budget, maintaining a tenancy and living healthily.

Tony Maybery, manager at Fairbridge Solent, said: "Many of our young people find themselves living alone at a younger age than they expected and are without the skills or financial understanding required to run a household and look after themselves. All too often they very quickly begin to struggle.

"This NatWest supported course provides our young people with a unique opportunity to gain this understanding in a safe environment that mimics real life but allows them to make mistakes and learn from them."

Nigel Crutchley, the bank's regional managing director, said: "I'm delighted that NatWest is continuing its support of the young people from Southampton's Fairbridge project through our funding of this course. Fairbridge has an excellent track record of working with young people from disadvantaged backgrounds to enable them to realise their true potential, and my team and I are thrilled to be helping them in this way."