FIVE young people have started work for social landlord Cestria Housing under a Government job creation scheme.

The Chester-le-Street-based social landlord has taken on Charlotte Lancaster ,20, of Bournmoor as a customer services assistant, Louise Errington ,23, of Consett, as a research analyst assistant, and Christopher Fox ,22, Nicola Hoyle ,21, and Paul Routledge ,20, from Chester-le-Street, as repairs administrators.

They were hired under the Future Jobs Fund, which aims to give work to 18 to 24-year-olds who have been unemployed for at least six months and gives employers up to £6,500 for each recruit.

Cestria is part of a consortium that includes Durham County Council that was chosen to participate in the scheme.

Paul Stephens, Director of Housing and Communities, said: "With unemployment rising and the state of the current economic climate, these opportunities will provide Charlotte, Louise, Christopher, Nicola and Paul with valuable skills, knowledge and experience needed to get onto the employment ladder."

Durham County Council's cabinet member for housing, Councillor Clive Robson, said: "This fund provides our young men and women, who have been unemployed for more than six months, with a whole fresh chance in the workplace.

"Through companies like Cestria they can earn a wage while getting invaluable work experience and, in many cases, they will be mentored through further qualifications.

"It's a win win - employers get the opportunity to take on more staff to boost their businesses or organisations and our young people get a new start in life."