YOUNG people who like tinkering with cars are being invited to help renovate a 1961 Mini Cooper.

The project, a summer school for youngsters aged 12 and over, is at Skidz, in Lower Cherwell Street, Banbury, Students who want to learn about motor vehicles can join supervised sessions at the Skidz workshop where they will dismantle, repair, and rebuild the Mini Cooper regarded in its day as "the car to own".

They will remove original body panels, make good the flanges, and weld new panels into place.

Other tasks will include refitting front and rear sub-frames, fitting new carpets, repairing the interior trim including the walnut dashboard.

The finished body will be sent to a Banbury paintshop for a total respray before the engine is installed and the car put in running order.

Project manager Steve Lenhardt said: "The finished car will be 'launched' by former champion rally driver Paddy Hopkirk, who won the 1964 Monte Carlo rally in a Mini Cooper. He will come and cut a ribbon to acknowledge the completion of the renovation."

Further information on the scheme is available from Mr Lenhardt on 01295 264420.

Skidz the Banbury Motor Project Limited started operating in September 2004.

Its doors are open to anyone in the community who wants to learn about motor vehicles.

During school term-time it runs courses throughout the day, and in the school holidays it stays open to give young people something constructive to do during their time off.

Courses include car, motorcycle, quad-bike, and go-kart maintenance and also a few computer courses.

Skidz is a registered charity managed by a committee drawn from statutory agencies, local businesses, and the community.

Funding comes from European Social Fund, Learning and Skills Council, Youth Justice Board, Connexions, and the Community Safety Partnership.