TWO North-East youngsters have hit the career jackpot, training to be dealers at a casino.

Sean Robertson and Ruly Haripurnomo are only two of 20 people who are being trained by Aspers Casino, at The Gate in Newcastle, in a range of skills from dealing blackjack to poker and roulette.

Mr Robertson, 18, who studied at New College Durham, said: "I heard that Aspers were recruiting from friends and thought I'd give it a go.

"It's been much harder than I thought, but I'm loving it, especially roulette and three-card poker, as you are more involved with the members and they make you think."

Former artist and painter Mr Haripurnomo, 27, of Newcastle, heard about the recruitment of trainee dealers while in the casino playing poker and spoke to Aspers' card room manager David Parlor.

He said: "I've been particularly enjoying learning how to stack the chips - there's a real knack to it - but when you get the hang of it, you can make it look effortless."

Their trainer, pit boss manager Catherine Graham, has been at Aspers since it opened in October last year.

She said the trainees were about to complete their six-week training period and, as soon as they receive their licences from the Gambling Commission, would be ready for the gaming floor.