YOUNGSTER Emma Welbury is off to a flying start in further education, after winning a scooter.

Lucky Emma, from Benton, Newcastle, won the Vespa scooter in a prize draw organised by the Learning and Skills Council Tyne and Wear.

The youngster, a pupil of Dame Allan's School in Newcastle, was selected out of 7,500 teenagers who responded to an advertising campaign and rang up to find out more about Modern Apprenticeships.

Fifty pupils from across Tyne and Wear picked up other prizes, including a helicopter ride with Metro FM presenter Marky Mark, tickets to football matches and concerts, a DVD player and computer, and shopping sprees with Top Shop.

Modern Apprenticeships are the Government's work-based learning flagship programme for young people aged 16 to 24, allowing them both to earn a wage and gain a qualification at the same time.

Ashley Winter, chairman of the Learning and Skills Council Tyne and Wear, said: "The campaign has been a resounding success, with an increase in uptake, interest and involvement in the scheme."

For further details on the scheme, contact 08000 150 600 or visit the website, www.realworkrealpay.info