STAGECOACH South is giving Winchester youngsters the chance to win an apprenticeship with the company.

The bus company is looking for four talented people to join up and is urging school leavers with an interest in engineering to apply.

Richard Alexander, Stagecoach South engineering director, said: “Local schools are continuing to focus on STEM subjects, which means there is a strong pool of talent in Winchester.”

He added the apprenticeship drive was part of a programme to give back to the community and help reduce youth unemployment.

The successful applicants will get four years of training and work towards the nationally-recognised Technical Certificate in Transport Engineering Maintenance.

Apprentices will have personal mentors to help their progression and once training is completed they have the opportunity to become a licensed member of The Institute of Road Transport Engineers.

To apply visit stagecoachbus.com/Southapprenticeships.aspx. Applications must be submitted by the end of June.