AN 18-year-old has become the only qualified male nursery nurse in east Cleveland.

Terry Agar, from Lingdale, near Saltburn, began work at the new Dots n' Spots Day Nursery and After School Club, in Skelton, in March after being unemployed for six months.

Alison Nairn, business development manager for Dots n' Spots, said: "The children are benefiting a great deal from having a young man in the nursery and after school club.

"Both the girls and boys really respond to him and he has a fun way of making them feel at ease.

"I think they can tell he genuinely likes being here."

Nicola Hally, recruitment officer for the local Early Years Development and Childcare Partnership, said: "We currently have a few male childminders and a handful of male play workers in out of school clubs across the borough, but want to encourage more men to contact us if they wish to work with children."

Terry said: "I enjoy my work and it's great to be doing something I like for a living, instead of something boring that I don't like.

"If there are any other lads who want to work in childcare, I'd say just do it."

For details about working with children call the Children's Information Service on (01642) 771173.