TEENAGERS in the North-East are the among the first in the country to receive grants to remain in further education.

Hundreds of 16-year-olds in the region applied for an education maintenance allow-ance (EMA) which pays them a weekly sum to help them stay in school or college.

The allowance is for post-GCSE students from families with a household income of less than £30,000 and pays them between £10 and £30 a week.

Teenagers became among the first to be paid the money when the new term started at in the region this month.

Louise Woodman, of Northumberland Learning Skills Council, said: "Many young people have families who cannot financially support them through further education and as a result they often drop out of school and into low paid jobs.

"The EMA recognises this and encourages young people to consider further education as an option to help them reach their full potential."

Any eligible year 12 student on an academic, vocational or resit course who applied for an EMA before September 30 will receive payments backdated to the start of their course.

The Department for Education and Skills will accept applications throughout the school year. Current year 11 pupils can start to apply for an allowance for the 2005/2006 academic year from April next year.

Ivan Lewis, Minister for Skills and Vocational Education, said: "This is an important week for many 16-year-olds in the North-East as they will be able to draw their EMA payments from their bank accounts.

"But it is not money for nothing. It is an earn-as-you- learn scheme. The weekly payments depend on the young person being able to demonstrate they are committed to turning up and working hard.

"If you stop learning, then you stop earning."

For more information on the scheme, visit www.ema. dfes.gov.uk