Stroud students have been raising money for charity as part of their National Citizenship Service (NCS).

They have been raising money for Gloucestershire charity Allsorts who support children with disabilities.

As part of the NCS scheme the group must complete a two-week social action phase project to support the community.

The group, comprising 16-year-olds Henry Mercer, Jonny Hayward, Liam Fry, Amy Cook, Issy Jackson and Ellie Yates held a cake sale in Stroud on Wednesday, August 8 and will hold another on Wednesday, August 15.

Students from schools across Stroud, Gloucester and Cheltenham are involved in the project.

Issy Jackson said: "We are really close now. I would never have met anyone here otherwise."

NCS development worker Emily Moss added: "I have been really impressed by all of them. They have really grown as a group.

"As a small group they have managed to pull together and make a big impact. It's made them work better as a team."

During the four-week programme the group have been on a week's residential doing watersports on the Isle of Wight and spent time at Hartpury College.

"Some people have done things they have never done before. A lot of them have found it a nice distraction from their GCSE results coming out," added Emily.

Stroud MP David Drew paid the group a visit during their first cake sale.

The group are also planning a number of other charity events for the rest of the project.

Henry Mercer said: "It's a worthwhile use of my time. It's good to give back and get involved in the community."

NCS run programmes for 15 to 17-year-olds during the summer and autumn.

The four-week programme costs £50 with the rest of the costs covered by government funding.

To find out more visit ncsthechallenge.org.