A PILOT scheme giving aid to teenage mothers is to be set up in North Yorkshire as part of a national initiative.

The county is one of the first areas in Britain to adopt the Young Mums To Be project, which will provide a support network for young mothers, helping them cope with pregnancy and their baby's arrival.

Project worker Karen Johnson said courses would take place at Lady Lumley's School, in Pickering, with information technology learning sessions at the town's Ropery Centre.

"We are trying to raise awareness about the project so we can get the girls on the course and offer our support and help," she said.

"A lot of the young mums go to other classes with midwives and so on, but we offer them more than a classroom environment. The main aim is to help them because of their age - they are still growing up, still teenagers straight out of school."

The project includes information and computer technology workshops where the mothers-to-be can learn basic skills to use in the workplace.

Gill Garbutt, from the community education centre, said hopes were high for the scheme's success. "There has never been anything like this before in our area," she said.

"The project is all about self-esteem. We offer a supportive role, as well as helping them acquire the skills to get back in the working environment."