TEENAGE girls got together for some thought provoking activities as they marked the International Day of the Girl today (Saturday).

Around 40 girls between the ages of 14 and 18 took part in a full day of presentations, activities and life skills hosted by Thames Valley Police at Upton Court Grammar School in Lascelles Road, Slough.

It started with an interactive business presentation from neuro linguistic programmer, Gilli Coston, who got the audience thinking about trust and confidence in themselves. This included a tennis ball throwing activity to encourage cooperation and function. Ms Coston, 49, from Maidenhead, was taught herself by the famous founder of neuro linguistics, Californian John Grinder.

The girls came from Upton Court Grammar itself, Slough and Eton School, Ditton Park Academy and Langley Academy.

Ms Coston said: "I like to give them some easy tools that they can apply - not just in business but generally across all aspects of their lives. This also sets them up for a really good day so they are engaging with each other and getting into a performance state."

The girls also learnt about healthy relationships, producing CVs for jobs, and self defence. There was even a Q and A session with a panel of successful businesswomen. Det Ch Insp Nikki Pierce, based at Slough Police Station, led the day which was also supported by Slough Borough Council and Slough Youth Parliament. The United Nations day, which is officially on Wednesday, celebrates girls in society and takes a closer look at the challenges they face in a bid to empower them.