FORMER University of Teesside student Doug Hewitson has graduated into the "perfect job" helping rural businesses recover from the foot-and-mouth crisis - thanks to an innovative work placement scheme.

Bridges and Routes aims to retain graduates in the North-East by helping them take the all-important first step into full-time employment - and, at the same time, use their talents to support innovation in small-to-medium size businesses.

Through the scheme, Mr Hewitson, has gained a job combining the two areas of his university studies - marketing and multi-media.

One of his early assignments with Teesside training and business support company, Walker Hall Associates, has been to aid rural firms hit by the foot-and-mouth epidemic by getting them on the Internet with the help of Government grants.

The 23-year-old, of Linthorpe, Middlesbrough, said: "I majored in web design and implementation for my masters, and I am now using that knowledge to help the recovery of small rural firms by exploring Internet opportunities, such as establishing a website, e-marketing and e-trading, and CD-rom production. It's the perfect job for me."

Through Bridges and Routes, companies offer graduates a 15-week placement, funded by the European Social Fund. The graduate receives a weekly grant of £125.

"We have a lot of talented graduates in this area. Retaining their skills is not only important for local businesses but acts as a boost to the whole economy," said Faye Thomson, of the University of Teesside research and enterprise office.

For details about Bridges and Routes, contact Faye Thomson on (01642) 384426 or email f.thomson