YOUNG people with emotional problems could soon be given help thanks to a new support scheme.

Redcar and Cleveland Borough Council is involved in the Government's plan to set up a service to allow all youngsters, whatever their problems, to carry on in education, training or employment.

The council's director of education, Patrick Scott, said: "The service, called the Connexions Service, will be available to all young people aged 13 to 19 years and their families, but will give particular priority to those at risk of disadvantage; those with low levels of attainment or attendance at school, excluded pupils, teenage mothers, those with learning difficulties, those facing other dilemmas such as homelessness, those at risk of falling within the criminal justice systems and those with health problems including substance abuse."

It is estimated 13,000 people in Redcar and Cleveland fit in to the age range of the service and ten to 15 per cent of them face real difficulties.

The service will bring together professionals from a wide range of disciplines to work in partnership with the voluntary service as well as developing the skills of existing social and education workers to allow them to become Personal Advisors.

Although the Connexions organisation will have a national unit it will also be managed at regional and local levels and it is expected the scheme will have a base in Redcar and Cleveland.

Pilots of the project are soon to take place elsewhere in the country and it is expected to be launched throughout the country by 2003.

Mr Scott said: "The initiative is consistent with priorities set in the Redcar and Cleveland Partnership Strategy prospectus to create more employment opportunities for the people of Redcar and Cleveland, tackle poverty and promote social inclusion and invest in young people."