A PROJECT which encourages young mums to return to education and employment is celebrating some of its first success stories.

Twenty girls aged between 16 and 19 have received certificates for completing courses while they were pregnant.

And many are now planning to return to part-time and full time education next September, giving them and their babies the best possible start for their future lives together.

The Young Mums To Be Project has been running at the National Children's Centre in Huddersfield since September last year.

Tutor and midwife Stephanie McKay is part of the three-strong team which leads the project.

Also involved are tutor Jo Bradley and co-ordinator Pat Mirfield.

Stephanie said: "The girls are referred to us from a variety of agencies at anything from eight weeks to 30 weeks into their pregnancy.

"We encourage them to plan for the future - from their birth place, finances, education and employment choices, childcare costs and funding."

As well as studying parenting, ante-natal care and talking about birth plans, the girls also learn other key skills, including communication, information technology, budgeting and finance.

They receive National College of Further Education accredited certificates in Skills for Life Competence.

The courses, which are provided by private training provider JHP Training, are funded by the Learning and Skills Council.

Judith Horsfield, entry to employment partnership manager for Kirklees and Calderdale, presented the certificates.

NICOLA Nield, 18, of Heckmondwike, is mum to seven-week-old Abigail Jade Noble.

Nicola said: "My self-confidence has improved a lot since I joined the course and it has also prepared me fully for motherhood.

"I'm going to college in September to study childcare."

LYNSI Smith, of Fartown, is 17 and says she planned to have baby Tailaya at this age.

"She is a much wanted baby, but the course helped me to prepare for the birth and what to expect when she was born," said Lynsi.

"I've really enjoyed the course.

"I am hoping to study sports and leisure at college from September."

TANYA Johnson, 18, of Holmfirth, is mum to 12-day old Jake Daniel Clee.

She said: "I'm pretty sorted now after going through the course."

She admitted that finding out she was pregnant was a bit of shock, but she is now optimistic about the future and looking forward to going to college in September to study business administration.