A group of Pembrokeshire trainees had their achievements honoured at a special award ceremony recently.

Seventeen Pembrokeshire COAST participants were presented with achievement awards for their progress over the last year at the project's annual review.

Held at Haverfordwest Rugby Club, the project's annual review was attended by over 200 people including participants and service providers.

The overall Participant of the Year prize was awarded to Craig Jenkins, who has worked with Pembrokeshire COAST since January 2010.

The 41-year-old from Dinas began with a one-day-a-week work taster with Pembrokeshire FRAME before progressing to a training programme at Norman Industries, a supported factory making furniture.

Craig has now finished with Pembrokeshire COAST to start paid work in the factory.

Learner of the Year Awards were given to Paul Blayney, Andrew Purser, Michela Monson and Mark Cooper.

Achiever of the Year Awards were presented to Craig Jenkins, Gail Draper and Diane Cheetham, while the Trainee of the Year Award was given to Amy Barrett.

As well as the prize-giving, the event also highlighted displays by Pembrokeshire COAST service providers of the work they are doing with participants.

Pembrokeshire COAST works with a wide range of people - aged 16 to 64 - who face barriers to work due to disability, illness or other social disadvantage.

The project aims to build confidence and improve social and work skills across a wide range of occupations to ease the transition to paid work.

Pembrokeshire COAST is part of the six county COASTAL Project and is part funded by the European Social Fund under the 2007-2013 Convergence Programme for West Wales and the Valleys. To find out more about the project visit the website at http://www.coastalproject.co.uk">www.coastalproject.co.uk, e-mail [email protected]">[email protected] or call 01437 768317.