A SHOP which sells products made and sourced by unemployed youngsters has opened to strong interest, its director has said.

Abelmarket in Wesley Walk, Witney, is working with young people aged 16 to 24 who are not in education, employment or training.

About 50 people visited on Saturday, its first day, said director Barry Ingleton. Items for sale include jewellery and furniture made at the Synolos Centre in Corn Street.

The 32 people on the scheme get a training allowance and the chance to study for a BTEC through the not-for-profit enterprise.

Mr Ingleton said: “We are very pleased how people have taken to the concept of what we are doing.

“These youngsters leave school and start going to bed late and so on.

“The cycle they have to break to get into anything formal is sometimes quite big.”

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