POLICE are helping put youngsters on the right road by giving them hands-on experience working with motorcycles.

Hylton Red House Comprehensive School, in Sunderland, is offering projects to encourage pupils with poor attendance or behaviour.

One is a motorbike mechanics course, and when police recovered two motorbikes destined for the scrapheap, they decided to donate them to the school.

Youth issues officer PC Neill Wrightson, who is a frequent visitor to the school, said: "We want to encourage young people to take part in education and learn skills that will benefit them throughout their lives."

Lorraine Humble, of the school, said: "As this project will focus on alternative learning skills, it will give pupils a chance to develop styles of education which are more acceptable and relevant to their needs.

"We would be keen to hear from any businesses who could offer help with either materials or staff who have motorbike maintenance skills."