AURORA Foxes, a hospitality training college for young adults with learning disabilities, has launched the Flying Fox food truck on the Minehead Promenade.

The truck will give Foxes’ students the opportunity to cater for events such as food fairs and music festivals, boosting their skills and confidence while preparing them for employment in the hospitality industry.

It has been funded by a £30,000 grant from the Hilton Global Foundation.

Previously known as Foxes Academy, the college equips students with skills and training to find sustainable work and live independently.

Hilton has been a partner of Aurora Foxes since 2015, offering placements and work experience to students from the college.

The truck, supported by Foxes’ students, will welcome customers on the seafront three days a week during the summer term, serving paninis and rice boxes.

Foxes’ students will be running the truck, learning outdoor service skills including food preparation, hygiene and storage.

Aurora Foxes principal Emma Cobley said: “It’s always thrilling to watch our students flourish in a professional environment and, thanks to the Hilton Global Foundation, we've been able to purchase the Flying Fox, a wonderful new catering truck which will provide our students with an exciting new avenue for hospitality training.

"Finding fulfilling work is so important for our mental health and wellbeing, and we believe those who are able to work shouldn’t be locked out of the workforce."

Mark Costello, chief executive of the Aurora Group, said: "Thanks to the launch of The Flying Fox food truck, we can now change the lives of even more students.

"Plus we will also be able to take the wonderful food produced by the students at Foxes across the country to even more communities spreading the word about the amazing work done by the Foxes team."

Steve Cassidy, managing director, UK and Ireland, Hilton, said: “Aurora Foxes has been a fantastic partner for us over the years and I’m thrilled we’re offering a number of additional work placements at our hotels later this year.

"I look forward to seeing the benefits of the Flying Fox truck on the lives of students and to tasting the delicious food they create.”

Bea, a student at Aurora Foxes, said: “All people should have the right to work, disability or not. I think Foxes is fantastic – we get so much good training and support.”