A SCOOTER scheme will help young people living in isolated areas in Teesdale get to work or college.

Teesdale Community Resources' (TCR) Wheels to Work scheme will provide motorbike and scooter training to young people who don't have access to a car and need transport to get to their jobs or to college.

TCR will also provide a scooter at a cost of as little as £9 per week.

The chief executive of TCR, Keith Jones, said he hopes the project will allow young people to get out of the "vicious circle" of transport to work.

"The main problem around here is rural isolation. People live so far away from their jobs and sometimes it's hard to rely on public transport," he said.

"This will enable people to get out of that vicious circle. You need a car to get to a job, but you can't afford a car until you have some work.

"It will also mean that young people don't have to look out of Teesdale for work."

The first person to benefit from the scheme is Liam Payne, from Cotherstone, who works as a baker at William Peat's, in Barnard Castle, and often starts work early in the morning.

"I've had the bike for two weeks now and it's been great.

"I can use it for work but it's good because I can use it to go and see my family and friends in Sunderland now," said Mr Payne, who is 18 today.

"The buses in Teesdale aren't really that good, so before I had the scooter I was stuck. My dad sometimes would finish work at 1am and then have a couple of hours sleep before taking me to work at 4am."

All the people who take part in the scheme are provided with coats, helmets and gloves by Teesdale Quad Centre, which also service the bikes.

To be eligible for the scheme, candidates must live in Teesdale and have no alternative means of transport to get to work or training.

They also must have a daily route that is practical for a scooter.

For more details on the scheme, call Mr Jones on 01833-690150