A CHARITY serving 24 schools and around 7,000 pupils across Salisbury is celebrating its 25th birthday.

In June a special ceremony was held for the Bridge Youth Project to commemorate 25 years since the charity launched, while applauding everything it has achieved leading up to the milestone age.

On June 18, 1994, the Bridge was commissioned at Salisbury Cathedral, and has since formed partnerships with schools all across the city, offering assemblies, advice, mentoring, courses and more.

Held at Sarum Academy, original founder Gay Rideout, Salisbury MP John Glen, The Bishop of Salisbury, The Right Reverend Nicholas Holtam and Mayor of Salisbury John Walsh attended the birthday festivities on June 21, accompanying more than 180 other guests.

Guest speakers on the night included Sarah Busby, executive headteacher of the Magna learning partnership and Mandi Brockway, headteacher at Broadchalke Primary School.

And following the birthday event, the Bridge Youth Project joined forces with eight local primary schools to decorate and transform eight pillars inside St Paul's Church into art, all inspired by colour and biblical tales.