A GROUP of 14-year-olds have become the youngest students at Darlington College of Technology.

The 75 pupils have been recommended by their schools to attend the college for lessons where they are offered a wider choice of subjects and a more flexible curriculum.

Children from Eastbourne, Branksome, Haughton, Hummersknott and Longfield schools have begun studying for GCSEs in health and social care and leisure and tourism at the college.

The pupils attend college for two-and-a-half days a week and their courses will last for two years. As well as providing them with a GCSE, the courses give youngsters an insight into college life.

Darlington College of Technology's 14-19 manager, Adrian Bostock, said: "From our point of view it is a way of bridging the gap between pre-16 and post-16 education.

"Spending this time gaining valuable experience and experiencing vocational subjects will greatly help students to decide what they want to do in life.

"They will also get to meet other like-minded young people from different schools and be able to exchange ideas."