YOUNGSTERS in Camelford will be able to receive a new community safety award through a scheme being introduced to the town.

At the annual parish meeting of Camelford Town Council on Thursday evening, March 7, head librarian at Camelford library, Bronwen Hockerday, presented a new scheme that is being introduced every month at the library for young people aged between five and 18.

The Duke of Cornwall community safety award will allow children and young people to earn recognition while being educated about keeping themselves and others safe within their community.

Introducing Bronwen to speak, mayor, Cllr Kirsty Ferguson, said: “I wish I was the age to do this, because it’s a really fantastic thing.”

Bronwen explained that the scheme began in 2011, following some serious flooding. “It encourages young people to get involved in their community and how they can help in an emergency.

“There are a number of tasks to do to get the award, and it falls under three age categories — five to ten for the home award, ten to 14 for the neighbourhoods award and 14 to 18 for the communities award. There’s lots of different things for the children to focus on — for example, the five to ten age category will look to design an emergency plan for their home, what to do in the event of a fire, and things like that.”

Once the children have completed their task, they will receive a certificate and a badge to keep. The scheme will be held at the library in Market Place every month on a Saturday where children will be able to work through the award, and it is hoped this will commence from April 6, between 10am and 1pm.

Bronwen also reported that she will be getting in touch with some local youth organisations to see if they would like to work together through this award.

Joe Bischler, resilience and emergency management officer at Cornwall Council, spoke up and said: “Just a point — kids absolutely love this and somewhere up country they did a zombie apocalypse one, which they absolutely loved, so you can take it in lots of directions.”

Finishing the presentation, Cllr Ferguson added: “It’s important for them to know about evacuation plans and things, plus children love getting certificates and badges.”