AN employment scheme for jobless people on some of Chester-le-Street's most deprived estates has had a number of successes.

Chester-le-Street Action Team for Jobs is a one-year project which aims to get 300 people from Chester West, Sacriston and Pelton Fell back into employment.

Since its launch in October, the £1.5m scheme has helped 21 jobless people back into full-time work after it provided them with training, travel expenses, childcare, and even clothes for interviews.

Advisors are based within the community to offer help and mentoring service to anyone keen to find work.

While the action team will primarily target these problem wards, people from the whole of Chester-le-Street can seek help when they have a particular problem preventing them getting employment.

Catherine Kerrs, a member of the team, said: "We have been given £1.5m in government funding to help break down the barriers in Chester-le-Street. The district has twice the national average unemployment.

"We try to help in many ways. They might not have a driving licence or their car might need an MoT, or they might need clothing for a job interview.

"There is nothing we would not consider.

"Anyone from Chester-le-Street is eligible, and they do not have to be registered unemployed with the JobCentre."

Alan Dodds, of The Gardens, Chester West, is one person to benefit from the scheme.

He was unemployed for about three months, and was dismayed with the part-time and menial jobs offered him by the JobCentre.

Mr Dodds, 41, said: "I was self-employed as a farm contractor for 11 years, but the work dried up, so I packed it in.

"I went on the dole, but I was just offered menial jobs. Thankfully, I became involved in the Action Team and they put me on a week-long forklift truck operator's course, which I passed.

"They also gave me clothes to go to an interview with Batley's Food and I got the job."

For more information on Action Team for Jobs, or to arrange an interview with an advisor, contact them on 0191-387 2400