Teenagers in West Cumbria are taking part in a project to generate ideas on how to revitalise struggling town centres in the wake of coronavirus.

The 14 to16-year-olds from four schools are rising to the challenge through the work awareness ProjX programme sponsored by Sellafield Ltd and delivered by the Centre for Leadership Performance.

It feeds into local regeneration plans being created by Allerdale and Copeland Borough Councils.

Schools taking part are St Benedict’s Catholic High School in Whitehaven, Cockermouth School, St Joseph’s Catholic High School, in Workington, and Beacon Hill Community School, in Aspatria.

Due to the coronavirus outbreak the 10 day programme has been taking place online using video conferencing. It will conclude on Friday.

The students are designing a concept for commercial redevelopment of a designated town area.

Local business experts will provide online guidance and workshops and concepts will be presented at the end of the project.

The concept must aim to attract both businesses and visitors while working within a budget and must be financially sustainable while adhering to local guidelines and recognising Covid-19 restrictions.

Sarah Glass, executive director at the Centre for Leadership Performance, said: “Students experience the diverse skills and behaviours needed to succeed in delivering successful projects within the nuclear supply chain and beyond. It also introduces them to a range of different businesses and disciplines.”

The ProjX partners involved in the 2020 initiative include Copeland and Allerdale Borough Councils, Balfour Beatty BEP (the Box Encapsulation Plant project at Sellafield), Jacobs/BEP, WYG, National Nuclear Laboratories, WK Designs, National College for Nuclear, Lakes College, Responsive, Engergus Nuclear Graduates, David Allen Accountants, Business Toolbox Cumbria, Westlakes Engineering, Solomons Europe, and Red Raven Architects.