Young people keen to work outdoors and not afraid to their hands dirty should apply for a place on Cultivate London's youth traineeship.

The west London-based allotment project, which has sites in Acton, Brentford and Isleworth, is looking for young people aged 16 to 24. The project gives youngsters the chance to gain new skills by learning to grow vegetables and other produce which is then sold onto local businesses.

The landscape gardening and horticulture trainee programme will run from May 19 to August 7.

During the course, young people will learn a range of basic gardening skills including seed sowing and harvesting as well as landscape gardening work and farmers market sales.

This is boosted with a qualification in horticulture from Green Corridor, and qualifications in maths and English from Redwood Skills.

The 10-week work placement will start with Cultivate London, followed by a two-week placement at another business which in the past has included work experience at Osterley House, Walpole Gardens, King's Cross Skip Farden and Octink.

Training is delivered across Hounslow and Ealing between Monday and Friday, from 10am-4pm, and all expenses are covered including lunch, travel and equipment costs.

On completion of the volunteer programme in August, Cultivate London will offer two youths a three-month paid placement on an internship programme.

To sign up call Adrienne on 07805658934 or email adrienne@cultivatelondon.org or for more information go online.

A taster session will be held at the South Acton site for young people, regardless of horticulture experience, to get a taste of what work can be expected of them on May 12, 13 or 14.