A Government initiative is offering thousands of young people in County Durham up to £120 a month to continue in further education.

The Education Maintenance Allowance (EMA) is designed to encourage more young people to remain in learning when they leave school, by removing the financial barriers that otherwise might deter them.

In County Durham, it is estimated that about 2,000 young people will be able to receive EMA, which will be paid to those whose household income is below £30,000.

From September, eligible pupils aged 16 who are following either an academic or vocational course at a school or college will receive a payment of between £10 and £30 per week.

The payments are intended to help cover the day-to-day costs that young people face when they stay on at school or college, such as buying books or equipment.

Bonuses of £100 will also be available two or three times a year for youngsters who remain on their course and make good progress with their learning.

Students can also earn money from a part-time job and still receive an EMA.

Steve Gater, headteacher at Ferryhill Business and Enterprise College, said: "EMA provides a big opportunity for young people in County Durham. It will widen the options they can consider at 16.

"Many young people are lost to learning at 16 because they believe they can't afford to go on to a college or sixth form school.

"But EMA will remove this financial barrier and ensure this important decision is based on what they want to do with their life, rather than the cost."

Application forms are available from all schools and student services in colleges, on a national freephone helpline (0808 1016219) the website at www.ema.dfes.gov.uk, and at local Connexions centres.