A PIONEERING scheme to create a homework train in the Esk Valley sets off next week.

About 200 youngsters living in farms and villages in the area rely on a train link to get them to school in Whitby.

But the pupils often face a long day, setting off before 7.30 and getting back home after 5pm.

Now Eskdale school in Whitby has won a government grant to fund two tutors and four laptop computers which youngsters can use on the train journey home.

It is thought that in this way, the pupils can stay ahead with homework.

Year seven pupils living in the Danby, Castleton, Commondale, Westerdale and Lealholm areas would try the scheme first.

"We want to try to change the train culture so that it is not just a means of transport," said Eskdale deputy head Mr Dave Bradley.

"We want it to be a means for the pupils to do some work.

"A big problem is that they travel such long distances that much of their day is spent in transit and they get tired.

"We hope that, if the scheme is a success, we can extend it to older pupils and students at Whitby community college."