EIGHT apprentices from Gwent have reached the national final of the Money for Life Challenge.

Aged between 16 and 24, Peter Vers, Tomos Tweedy, Thomas Booth. Thomas Jackson. Ashley O’Sullivan. Amy Follet, Lowri Bailey, and Sam Scholler will all represent Acorn Learning Solutions at the challenge’s national final at the Dr Who Experience convention in Cardiff on April 28.

One of 11 finalists from a pool of 80 teams, five of whom are from Gwent, the apprentices came up with the idea of DOSH – Defining Our Spending Habits.

Using Microsoft Excel, they devised a budget tracker to help students keep track of their spending habits and used feedback from pupils at Bassaleg School to further develop their idea.

One of the apprentices, Pete Vers, 23, said: “Through our apprenticeship, we've gained an insight into saving money.

"The tracker is aimed at helping teenagers and single mothers with advice on saving money.

“We’re excited and a bit nervous to present our data to the judges."

Claire Howells, commercial trainer for Acorn training division, said: “We felt that taking part in this campaign would give the group a more rounded view of the world of work and add new dimensions to their already challenging apprenticeship programmes.”

The other Gwent finalists are Coleg Gwent's Blaenau Gwent Learning Zone, Charter Housing in Newport, Gym Value for Money in Coleg Gwent, and Beauty Therapy Community at Coleg Gwent

The Money for Life Challenge, run by Lloyd’s Banking Group, provides grants for 16 to 24 year olds to run a project to improve money management skills in their communities.