AN innovative scheme to help people in rural areas find a job and travel to it has won the backing of a local brewery.
Hambleton Ales has pledged its support to North Yorkshire's local employment enabling scheme, Wheels 2 Work.
Brewery founder Nick Stafford has ploughed £2,500 of his own money into the Hambleton and Richmondshire Rural Transport Partnership scheme to sponsor a moped for a year.
Through the scheme his newest apprentice, Tom Blackburn from Bedale, has the use of a moped to get to and from his job at the Melmerby brewery.
Mr Stafford said: "As a successful business, we have a reputation for delivering an excellent product. As an employer, I know that a key factor in our success is the high standard of ability and commitment shown by our employees."
He said that that position was offered to Tom - but he would not have been able to take it up without the independent means of transport offered by Wheels 2 Work.
"It is not always easy for businesses to find employees of the right calibre who are on the doorstep," Mr Stafford said.
"Sponsorship of this scheme by myself and other businesses is a cost-effective way of encouraging growth and ultimately will lead to development and increased prosperity for local communities and across the region."
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereComments are closed on this article