MORE young people in Inverclyde have signed up for free bus travel than anywhere else in the country.

The uptake for the under-22s scheme locally is 79 per cent, which is higher than any other area - with the rate in some places as low as 15 per cent.

Schools in Inverclyde stepped in to help pupils get signed up.

Education convenor Jim Clocherty has praised them for helping make sure that young people can travel on routes for free.