A new careers call centre has been opened in a bid to free up time to help pupils at risk of dropping out.

The Careers Direct call centre aims to make information and advice more accessible to the average parent or student.

Instead of booking an appointment with an adviser they will be able to receive guidance, on everything from which subjects to choose to the state of the jobs market, over the telephone.

The service will run from 9am to 4pm every weekday. Students will also be able to send queries around the clock using fax and e-mail and can access the Careers Bradford website.

In line with Government policy the new technology should allow advisers to concentrate on those most at risk of failing to continue in education.

Careers Bradford information manager, Sheila Bisset, said those at risk included children who lacked motivation or were victims of social problems. They were usually referred to the careers service by other agencies.

"Our aim is that anybody who has a query or is seeking guidance about further education, training and jobs can contact us quickly and simply and be guaranteed a swift response," she said.

"The time saved on face-to-face meetings with advisers will be used to target young people who might otherwise fail to take up further education, training or job opportunities."

The new policy will also involve a change of emphasis for careers advisors who visit schools. They will be seeking out those who need advice most. Ms Bisset said that head teachers she had spoken to had welcomed the scheme.

Head teacher at Queensbury School, Richard Moore, said: "We find that personal contact is a valuable way of giving careers advice. But where there is a limited resource it is sensible to focus it on the area of greatest need."

The Careers Direct call centre can be contacted by telephone on (01274) 829429 or faxed on (01274) 829391. E-mails should be sent to careersdirect@careersb.co.uk or students can visit the website at www.careersb.co.uk.