DURHAM City Council has been inundated with applications from young people for nine apprenticeships it is offering.

The council took on its first apprentices three years ago, in a bid to ease a skills shortage in an areas such as plumbing.

It recruited apprentices, but has now decided to extend the scheme and has nine posts to be filled, including an electrician, plasterer and plumber.

A council spokeswoman said: "We have been inundated - we have had hundreds of applications. If this works out, I think there will be more apprentices coming on board in the future.''

The council, like many authorities, ditched its apprentice scheme when a Tory Government brought in competitive contracts for council work such as housing repairs and maintenance.

Applications for the apprenticeships close tomorrow, after which the selection process will begin.

The council believes the scheme will lead to improved productivity and motivation.