Parts of the North-East have the highest rates of young people not in education, work or training, new figures show.

Stockton Borough Council had the highest percentage of 16-18 year-olds Neet - not in education, employment and training - according to local authority data.

Last year, 9 per cent of young people in Stockton were considered Neet, up from 8.6 per cent at the end of 2013.

This compares to an average of 4.7 per cent across local authorities in England, which has fallen slightly from 5.3 per cent in 2013.

Neighbouring Redcar and Cleveland council has the second highest rate with 8.4 per cent of 16-18 year-olds out of work and education, against 7.7 per cent in 2013.

Liverpool came in third with 8.2 per cent of teenagers outside of education, training or work.

But Department for Education analysis suggests last year saw the lowest overall rate of 16-18 year-old Neets since records began, with 52,000 fewer young people since 2011.

Ann McCoy, Stockton council's cabinet member for children and young people, said the rating was "not an accurate reflection of youth employment".

She said: "Many areas of the country simply don't know the full extent of the issue as their tracking systems aren't as effective as those we use in Stockton-on-Tees.

"Employment rates in Stockton-on-Tees are already growing above the regional averages."

She added that the council was working hard to increase the number of jobs in the area, and recently featured as one of the Government's top ten authorities for supporting Neets.

She said: "We want all our young people to have opportunities to help them achieve their aspirations and ambitions and that's why we work hard to identify and support young people who are not in education, employment or training."

The number of 16-24-year-olds categorised as Neet is at its lowest level in a decade, according to quarterly government data released in June.

Skills Minister Nick Boles said: "With recent figures showing record lows in the number of young people not in education, employment or training, it is clear that our economic plan is working.

"But we know there is more to do, and the annual Neet scorecards will prove a highly effective tool in delivering our commitment to helping young people reach their potential."

The data release coincides with the launch of a new government scheme, which will allow the public to use an "at-a-glance" scorecard to monitor their council's performance in getting young people into education, work or training.