College students are weaving web of success.

Five young people who beat off stiff competition to win coveted places at Hartlepool College of Further Education's Web Academy are looking set for excellent careers designing websites which can be seen around the world.

Ian Riley, Nicole Sargeant, Scott Wells, Mark Cronin, and Terry Clyburn have now started their Web Academy courses, which mixes two days' training in information technology and web design in the college, with three days' paid work placement.

The project is part of the pounds 1.8m Hartlepool ICT Single Programme supported by One NorthEast through the Tees Valley Partnership.

Alastair Arkley, chairman of the Tees Valley Partnership, said: "One of the keys to the regeneration of the Tees Valley will be developing the skills required for the industries of the 21st Century and this initiative by Hartlepool College is designed to do just that.

"What's especially interesting is that it is providing local youngsters with the best of both worlds - putting the skills they gain at the college to practical use in a work environment."

Kevin Rowan, a board member of One NorthEast said: "This project offers students a real chance to develop their skills in the business world as well as learning in the lecture theatre.

"Their academic studies will be reinforced by the very practical knowledge gained at these placements.

"This initiative is a very imaginative way of increasing our IT skills-base in the region and producing young people who have great employment potential."

Ian Riley, 17, a former student of Manor College of Technology has a placement with SX3, the IT support company of Hartlepool Borough Council.

He was "over the moon" to be picked for the Web Academy as he had always wanted to work with computers. His work is very hands-on, from installing floppy drives to troubleshooting.

He said "I am learning something new every day."

Fellow Academy member Nicole Sargeant, 16, is working at the Business Development Centre at Hartlepool College of Further Education. She aims to go to University and is also studying for an A level.

She said: "I'm learning the theory about software and hardware whilst putting my skills into practice on live projects - it's the ideal start for my ambition to be a web designer."

Seventeen-year-old Mark Cronin is now studying NVQ level 3 in IT whilst working at Positive People Development in Hartlepool. "Because each day is different I enjoy what I do and I'm earning a wage as well as gaining a qualification and experience," she said.

Scott Wells, 19, has his work placement designing Hartlepool College's new Students' Association website. His work is based around the marketing and media section of web-design. He said: "The experience I'll get from the MA programme is what employers are looking for - practical ICT skills gained from the real workplace."

Terry Clyburn,19, is getting hands-on experience to achieve his ambition to design websites at E-Merce Services in Hartlepool. He has completed the Advanced AVCE in ICT at Hartlepool College and says E-Merce is an inspiration to him: "The company is designing award-winning web-sites so I couldn't have a better teacher."

The five students graduate from the college's Web Academy in June 2005.