A NATIONAL scheme to encourage youngsters to go on to higher education has been launched on Teesside.

The Aim Higher roadshow visited Hall Garth School in Middlesbrough, where pupils were encouraged to find out more about university life by checking out an interactive film and website.

The Government campaign, sponsored by the Royal Bank of Scotland and NatWest, targets children whose families have no tradition of attending university or college, and will tour schools in the town.

Angela Lawson, from the Middlesbrough NatWest branch, said: "Everyone should be concerned about young people failing to reach their full potential and wasting their talents.

"The Aim Higher campaign will help young people realise the value of university or college in becoming part of a successful and skilled workforce of the future."