CORONATION Street star Scott Wright helped Connexions Tees Valley get off the ground yesterday.

Scott, who plays stripper Sam in the soap, helped launch 1,000 purple and orange Connexions balloons to show the new service was under way.

The balloons will carry good luck messages from young people, celebrities, politicians and Connexions partners from across Tees Valley.

The service will offer the biggest ever network of support for young people covering Hartlepool, Middlesbrough, Redcar and Cleveland, Stockton and Darlington.

Open to all youngsters aged between 13 and 19, Connexions aims to revolutionise the way young people get support, by bringing together individuals and organisations.