BOSSES in Richmondshire are being urged to join a partnership with the University of York to block the brain drain which tempts the region's brightest and best away from the area.

A pilot scheme, jointly coordinated by North Yorkshire Training and Enterprise Council (Tec), has already established that students can find work locally if they are put in touch with mentors in their chosen fields, before they finish their degrees.

More than 50 employers have already signed their names to the York Award, which helps find candidates for vacancies they may otherwise struggle to fill.

However, more companies are being sought to widen the network and a free seminar is planned at York's National Railway Museum to explain the principles behind the scheme.

Dinner will be provided at the event, which begins at 5.30pm on Tuesday, November 21.

Tec spokeswoman, Joan Palmer, said: "Employers want bright young people who will quickly make a difference to their bottom line. The York Award gives graduates the broader work skills which employers want."