INTERNATIONAL volunteers working in the Selby area have been praised for their work in the community.

Young people working on the Global Xchange programme in the district have organised a series of community events, from painting murals to sports tournaments and charity concerts.

There are 17 volunteers, aged between 18 and 26, working across the district, eight from Pakistan and nine from elsewhere in Britain.

They are based at the Regen Centre, in Riccall.

Jane Dutton, acting chief executive of the centre, said: "These Global Xchange volunteers are making a real contribution in how we are engaging with our community.

"They are listening and responding to community needs."

Events organised by the Global Xchange volunteers this month include a sports tournament on February 26 and a comedy and music night on February 24.

Both will take place at the Regen Centre and all cash raised will go to cerebral palsy charity Scope and Greyhound Rescue North Yorkshire.

Robert Rees, one of the volunteers, said: "Everyone is behind the events to raise money for the charities and it is great to see the community coming together to help each other out."

The Global Xchange programme is run by Voluntary Services Overseas, Community Services Volunteers and the British Council.

It aims to get young people from different countries to work together on positive community projects and also challenge stereotypes of people from different cultures.

Val Fletcher, who works at the centre, said: "It's great what these volunteers are doing in the community.

"The events they have planned are different to any other event that the Regen Centre has held in the past and is very exciting."

Updated: 11:18 Saturday, February 11, 2006