AN innovative scheme to help people in rural areas find a job and travel to it has won the backing of a local brewery.

Hambleton Ales has pledged its support to North Yorkshire's local employment enabling scheme, Wheels 2 Work.

Brewery founder Nick Stafford has ploughed £2,500 of his own money into the Hambleton and Richmondshire Rural Transport Partnership scheme to sponsor a moped for a year.

Through the scheme his newest apprentice, Tom Blackburn from Bedale, has the use of a moped to get to and from his job at the Melmerby brewery.

Mr Stafford said: "As a successful business, we have a reputation for delivering an excellent product. As an employer, I know that a key factor in our success is the high standard of ability and commitment shown by our employees."

He said that that position was offered to Tom - but he would not have been able to take it up without the independent means of transport offered by Wheels 2 Work.

"It is not always easy for businesses to find employees of the right calibre who are on the doorstep," Mr Stafford said.

"Sponsorship of this scheme by myself and other businesses is a cost-effective way of encouraging growth and ultimately will lead to development and increased prosperity for local communities and across the region."