A COMMUNITY is to help some of its young people realise the dream of a university education.

The West Middlesbrough Neighbourhood Trust (WMNT), which is overseeing a £52m redevelopment, is determined a lack of funds will not prove a hurdle to a young person with their heart set on higher education.

Residents aged between 18 and 30, who have lived in the WMNT areas of Newport, West Lane and Whinney Banks for more than two years, can apply for a bursary of up to £1,500 per year, to help pay their way through college or university.

The scheme is open for applications for the university term in September.

Trust chairwoman Joan Ford said: "We know that currently a low number of local residents apply for university places.

"The only thing putting people off is sometimes the worry of how they will manage financially while they study."

"Through this new scheme, we hope to take away some of that burden and really open up higher education for our young people."

There will be up to 15 bursaries a year for the next two years.

Anne Shaw, WMNT children and learning manager, said: "In return for the bursary, students will be asked to take part in community activities with young people in their own neighbourhoods and act as role models to encourage others to succeed through educational achievement.

"We also have the potential for increased graduate employment in the area, which can only be of benefit to west Middlesbrough."

A survey found that 72 per cent of adults in the community would like to learn something new.