MORE than 90 apprenticeships are expected to be created in the North-East by a national regeneration scheme.

Eight teenagers have already been given a starting date for work, thanks to the Going for Growth scheme.

The 16-year-old school leavers will be taken on as apprentice joiners, bricklayers and plasterers at Newcastle's Great Park.

The Great Park is a centre for information, communication and technology.

The apprenticeships were created through an agreement between Newcastle City Council, and Persimmon Homes North-East and Bryant Homes.

Council leader Tony Flynn said: "Job creation is an integral part of our Going for Growth strategy, and we are delighted that among the first to benefit will be young people who live in the city.

"We have always said that we want to see local jobs going to local people, and this is just the start.

"By the end of the contract, at least 72 apprentices will have benefited from training and gained worthwhile employment."

The apprentices will be trained for three years, and experts believe the scheme will create 74,000 recruits across the country.

Sub-contractors are expected to take on another 90 apprentices in Newcastle alone. information should telephone (01904) 631321.