LOCAL firms West Coast Cinemas and Bowman Rebecchi have signed up to the government Kickstart scheme offering paid placements to young people.

The £12m fund creates six-month paid placements for young people aged between 16-24 and on Universal Credit.

People who are interested can apply through their job coach.

Eileen McClafferty, employer and partner manager in Inverclyde with the DWP, said: "Locally we have current opportunities in social care, retail, grounds and general construction.

"We are also expecting vacancies soon from Inverclyde Chamber of Commerce, these include opportunities with Onsite Scanning, West Coast Cinemas and Bowman Rebecchi, with more in the pipeline."