A training centre to give young jobless people a chance of running a business has opened in Witney.

The Synolos Centre in Corn Street is already working with 10 16- to 18-year-olds who have left school and failed to find a job.

Director Barry Ingleton set up the centre after recognising the growing problem of youth unemployment, particularly among school leavers not in employment, education or training – known as Neets.

Mr Ingleton said: “Enterprise is a confidence-builder for young people. It’s about engaging them and giving them qualifications.”

A successful pilot in the summer laid the foundations for the centre and, backed by funding from Oxfordshire County Council, the youngsters are starting to make garden furniture, run a photography studio and operate a door-to-door catalogue and online retail business selling gifts and crafts.

The centre has also been working with businesses such as Witney-based lemonade manufacturer Samuelson’s.

Students learn as they operate the businesses and gain BTEC qualifications to put on their CVs.

Nathan I’Anson, 17, got six GCSEs from Bartholomew School in Eynsham and went to Abingdon and Witney College.

He signed up for the pilot with Mr Ingleton in the summer, after kicking problems with drugs and alcohol, and now is looking to start his own garden furniture business with Mr Ingleton’s help.

Nathan, who lives in Witney, said: “I studied gardening and horticulture at college and decided to learn carpentry with Barry and now I am selling planters. It’s helped me overcome my problems – everything is falling into place.”

Synolos is set up as a community interest company and all profits from the business are redistributed to local charities.

Mr Ingleton, who previously taught at Abingdon and Witney College and Meadowbrook College in Marston, added: “I am trying to create something self-sustaining and hope people buy into its success.”

The Synolos Centre will be opened by U’s footballer Adam Chapman on December 9.