A NEW post in the Prince's Trust has been created at a North-East college, which will be used as a pilot for the rest of the country.

Andrea Smedley has been made a business development officer and will be situated at the Billingham site of Stockton and Billingham College.

She will help unemployed or under-employed people, aged 18 to 30, to start their own business.

She said: "Although there are business development officers throughout the country for the Prince's Trust, this is the first position based in the community where people can drop-in.

"It is a front-line position and the advantage of being based in a college is that we really can't fail to be noticed by young people.

"It will, hopefully, raise awareness among young people, and start them thinking of an initial business idea."

The Prince's Trust can offer low interest loans, grants and support to young people who want to start their own business.