EIGHT young motor vehicle workshop technicians are playing a key role in restoring a 1972 Volkswagen Beetle purchased with cash from the sale of a 2002 BMW 3 series.

The students - four male and four female - now involved in the restoration process are part of the second round of the K.P Youth Project set up by Dave Keay and Luke Pinnell.

From day one, they decided their company, Westbury-based K.P Garage & Body Workshop, would give something back to the local community.

They acquired a 2002 BMW 3 Series and invited a group of young people, all of whom had recently left, or were about to leave full-time education, to help with its restoration.

The first K.P Youth Project was a complete success, with the car displayed at the Forge Action Day at Castle Combe and then raffled off.

More importantly, of the eight participants, two are now serving mechanical apprenticeships while three others have embarked on full-time technical training.

Mr Keay said: “We see ourselves at the heart of the community in Westbury. We wanted to help show the potential for a rewarding career in the workshop, so as well as giving the participants first-hand experience of working on vehicles, we also support them with mock interviews, mentoring and general careers guidance.

“With five of the first group taking firm steps into a career, it was time to repeat the process, and the work on the VW Beetle is now in progress with a view to being ready for next year’s show season.”

Since its launch in 2017, the K.P Garage & Bodyshop has been a devoted user of the Tec4 range, the professionals’ choice for engine and fuel treatments.

Tec4’s regional sales manager, Trudie Mattock, said: “We are delighted to support them with this innovative approach to helping youngsters, by offering them valuable practical experience to set them on a path to a rewarding career.”

Tec4 has backed the project to date with financial support and donations of product from its specialist workshop range and K.P says the company’s support has been invaluable.Other partners include Sovereign Housing Association, Westbury Town Council, Black Nova Designs, Colour Idea, Sam Hill Carpentry & Joinery, Well Chuffed Media, Eurocartel (car club), CLH Engineering Ltd, Woods Motor Company and Facebook page, In the Driver’s Seat.