YOUNGSTERS at two Glasgow schools will today become the first in Scotland to run their own credit union.

Around 400 pupils will launch the banking facilities at Lochend Community High in Easterhouse and Bannerman High, Baillieston, which will encourage youngsters to save and give them financial skills which could be used in a future banking career.

The unions will be run in association with New Easterhouse and Baillieston credit unions.

Greater Easterhouse Money Advice Project is behind the idea which aims to increase credit union membership and provide low-cost loans to members who are regular savers.

Around 400 youngsters at the schools have completed a personal finance training programme with GEMAP and will also be awarded certificates in financial literacy.

The project has been funded by the Big Lottery Fund (Scotland), whose director Dharmendra Kanani was to join Margaret Curran MSP at the launch.