Traders in Cleckheaton are being offered the help of special-needs teenagers on work placements.

John Bolton, special needs teacher at Whitcliffe Mount School in Cleckheaton, spoke to members of Spenborough Chamber of Trade about the scheme which would see groups of year ten youngsters aged 14 or 15 helping out in various businesses around the town.

Mr Bolton said he was examining a new curriculum for the youngsters which would see them studying GCSE subjects in school three days out of five.

One of the other days would be spent doing off-site vocational courses and the other would be spent on a work experience placement.

He said the scheme has already been tested with a group of year ten pupils doing tree planting, hedge laying and stone walling at Oakwell Hall Country Park in Birstall."

Keith Joplin, Chamber president, told members: "As a school governor, I want to bring the school and the town together."