SHOPPERS in Bishop Auckland were treated to a surprise dance show to raise awareness of the town’s Prince’s Trust group.

The 12 unemployed young people sprang into action with a flash mob on Thursday lunchtime at the entrance to the Newgate Shopping Centre, in Newgate Street.

Shoppers stopped to watch and some filmed the YMCA dance on their mobiles.

Team leader Peter Ahmed said: “The aim of the challenge is to boost the students’ confidence by encouraging them to do something completely different.

“If you can perform to a party classic in the middle of Bishop Auckland town centre, then hopefully the thought of phoning a future potential employer suddenly doesn’t seem so daunting.”

The Prince’s Trust Team programme, delivered by Stockton Riverside College, is a 12-week course available to unemployed young people, aged 16 to 25. The Bishop Auckland team is one of five programmes delivered across the region by the college.

The aim is to help those taking part to develop skills and motivation to move into education or employment.

Rachel Fletcher, 17, from Spennymoor, was among those taking part and she hopes to join the Navy after completing the course.

“It has really helped me with my confidence and given me the motivation to do more,” she said.

“I’ve never done anything like this before but that’s what the programme is all about, having new experiences.”