A BBC training programme for 50 young people who want to improve their digital skills will take place in St Helens.

From today (Tuesday, August 4) unemployed people aged between 16 and 24 can apply for a place on the nationwide BBC 'Make it Digital' traineeship.

The programme lasts five weeks and involves attending classes at an as-yet undisclosed establishment as well as on-the-job placements.

Young people who are unemployed, have fewer than two A Levels and an interest in developing their digital skills can register their interest via their local Jobcentre Plus. The Jobcentre Plus network will then identify suitable candidates.

A BBC spokesperson said: "Training will be delivered by a high-quality local training provider in St Helens followed by structured work placements with local employers.

"In total, 50 opportunities are expected to be available in St Helens."

The traineeship, one of the largest of its kind, was announced by BBC Director-General Tony Hall at the start of this year's BBC Make it Digital initiative, which aims to inspire a new generation to get creative with coding, programming and digital technology, and help address the current skills shortage in the UK's technology sector.

The traineeship includes training in employability skills and basic digital skills such as planning social media campaigns, building websites and creating videos for the web. Other key skills include budgeting, basic project management, team working, English and Maths

The final stage of the traineeship is a three-week structured placement, with a focus on selecting local companies likely to require basic-level digital skills.

Aziz Rashid, head of regional and local programming at the BBC, said: "The BBC Make it Digital Traineeship will enable up to 50 unemployed people from St Helens to benefit from proper hands-on training, while helping to create a more diverse workforce.

"Businesses will benefit from young people with great employability skills who can help them navigate the digital world."