A charity in Devon has bought 10 mopeds with National Lottery money to help young people get to work.

They are being loaned to people in isolated rural areas who cannot rely on public transport.

West Devon Environmental Network received a grant of �170,000 to buy the 10 low-power motorbikes.

Gavin Peachy, 16, who works for a pet supplies company in North Tawton, near Tavistock, was among the first to be loaned one of the scooter-style bikes under the Getting There Project.

Timetable problems

He said: "I don't think I would have taken the job if I didn't have transport.

"I would not have been able to make sure I was on time so I probably wouldn't have got the job.

"It's a lot cheaper than public transport, because I can do 120km on a tank of petrol."

Each loan lasts for six months.

Gavin said he hoped to save enough during the six months to buy his own 125cc motorbike.

A spokesman for the West Devon Environmental Network said: "The main problem is that public transport either doesn't get to those people in rural isolated locations, or it runs at times that aren't suitable."