Children are getting an early taste of student life in an attempt to encourage them to go to college.

Hundreds of teenagers from across Darlington are taking part in the scheme, run by Darlington College of Technology.

The under-16s get the chance to learn a variety of skills, from welding, machining and fabricating metal to hairdressing, catering, vehicle repair and building.

Austin Foggin, who lectures in engineering at the college, said: "The pupils come in twice a week and get a really good feel for college life.

"We show them how to weld and end up completing a toolbox, which hopefully they will be able to use throughout their careers.

"They also walk away with a qualification in performing engineering operations, and we hope they will come back as full-time students."

Shaun Harrison, 14, of Branksome School, said: "It has been really good and I have really enjoyed it. I certainly think I will come back to college to do a course and go on to eventually become a welder."