High school pupils from Edinburgh have been out on site getting construction experience of the real-world pressures that face contractors.

Third and fourth years from Castlebrae Community High School donned their boots to visit the forthcoming community facility in Craigmillar.

Getting the school pupils on site was organised by contractor GRAHAM Construction and hub South East Scotland, who got them to make themselves useful by building some of the elements to be included in the landscaped garden at the rear of the facility.

GRAHAM Construction framework manager Martin Taylor said: "Anything which helps the next generation of young engineers gain the skills and experience they need before coming into the industry has to be a good thing. Rather than just invite the youngsters from Castlebrae down to see the work we're doing, we thought it would be much more valuable to have them actually create something which will become a permanent fixture of the project. Not only will it give them an investment in the building itself, it will help them gain a real understanding of the time, cost and quality pressures contractors face on high profile projects like this."

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The new East Neighbourhood Office and Craigmillar Library is being built in the heart of the new Craigmillar town centre.

As well as housing several City of Edinburgh Council departments and partner agencies, the building will provide a new community space, with a large modern library delivering a range of activities for all ages.

Jo Elliot, chair of hub South East Scotland, said the "live experience" was invaluable for pupils and she hoped to bring some more in to see building sites in action.

The young people are tasked with constructing three raised planters which will be incorporated into the garden at the rear of the facility during the landscaping work, due to take place once the majority of the building work has been completed.

(NE/GK)