YOUNG people are to have help and advice taken to them, with the arrival of a mobile youth unit on Teesside.

Hartlepool Youth Service is on the move to take support to young people.

The specially-designed vehicle is being used by the service in its work with 13 to 19-year-olds around the town, where it can offer sexual health advice and education.

The vehicle, which includes computer workstations, a DVD and CD player and a confidential interview area, will complement the service's existing activities.

It is aimed particularly at young people who have little access to youth workers.

Youngsters can turn up at the mobile unit and meet informally with youth workers to talk about issues which are important to them, as well as plan and organise events and activities.

The unit can also be used to target specific topics and is currently being used on Saturday mornings to give sexual health advice and education.

The vehicle is operating initially every Saturday morning, plus four evenings a week. However, this will eventually increase to six evenings a week.

It will be sited at various locations around Hartlepool.

Hartlepool Borough Council's children's services director, Adrienne Simcock, said: "The new mobile unit is an invaluable addition to the youth service, enabling the youth workers to bring advice and support to even more young people, in an attractive and welcoming environment."