AMID Swindon's weekend shoppers, a new crime rehabilitation and wellbeing group gathers on John Street in the Town Centre.

Every Saturday morning around 10 members meet for nothing more than a good laugh.

The Swindon Young Laughter Group has been running for 2 months now and organiser Margaret Beech said it’s a useful tool in lifting the mood of young offenders who need to focus emotionally on their lives.

“It is all about allowing yourself to be silly, but in a constructive way - a lot of these kids have been in trouble with the police for minor anti social behaviour and this group is about challenging that boredom and boisterousness is a positive way” Ms Beech said.

The group is funded by a local government grant in crime reduction and relies on its voluntary leader, who guides the teens through breathing and laughter exercises.

In the UK there are 5000 practitioners of laughter yoga, which began in India in 1995. However this group is thought to be the first to turn the practice into reducing recidivism.

Observers are most welcome and if you fancy a good laugh on a Saturday morning, the club meets on John Street outside the Voluntary Service Bureau every Saturday at 10am.

Based on information supplied by Margaret Beech.