A new initiative invites culturally enthusiastic teenagers to join museums as young curators.

Stowmarket's Food Museum along with London's Museum of the Home has initiated an  opportunity for 16-17-year-olds interested in culture and history to function as Young Curators.

This collaborative programme, supported by the National Lottery Heritage Fund, aims at harnessing creativity, fostering community engagement as well as offering real-world skills to the participants.

As Young Curators, the participants will have an opportunity to experience the nuts and bolts of managing a museum and will contribute to creating exhibition materials across both sites.

Stowmarket Mercury: The final date for submitting applications is April 30 The final date for submitting applications is April 30 (Image: Submitted)

In addition to the fun-filled residential trips to Suffolk and London, the teenagers will also visit cultural venues across the regions.

The first project for the Young Curators includes developing an engaging exhibition based on 'School Dinners', as part of a Food Museum programme.

This programme is also backed by the National Lottery Heritage Fund and explores the school food of the past, present and future.

In this project, the curators will engage in recording people's accounts and memories of school dinners.

The privilege of becoming a Young Curator is available to year 11 and 12 students from Suffolk and London and is free of charge.

The programme will bear all travel, accommodation and food expenses.

The final date for submitting applications is April 30.

Stowmarket Mercury: The first project for the Young Curators includes developing an engaging exhibition based on 'School Dinners' The first project for the Young Curators includes developing an engaging exhibition based on 'School Dinners' (Image: Submitted)

For application forms and further information, visit the Food Museum website.

The Food Museum is the only museum in the UK dedicated to food.

Its mission includes connecting people with their food sources and educating them on the impact of their choices on environment, society, health and wellbeing.

The museum which is also a charity, has an impressive collection of more than 40,000 objects including 17 historic buildings set across 84 acres of picturesque countryside.