Former teachers in Leicester are being offered cash incentives of up to �2,000 to return to the classroom.

There is currently about 50 teacher vacancies in Leicester's schools.

The city council is hoping a refresher course for ex-teachers will help to fill the vacancies.

It is now working with the Teacher Training Agency (TTA) to lure ex-teachers back to the profession with a raft of incentives.

The six-week course, starting on 20 January, will allow teachers to brush up on their classroom skills plus get up to speed on all the latest changes to the National Curriculum and teaching techniques.

The TTA says those attending will be able to claim a bursary of up to �150 per week with a further amount of up to �150 per child per week available towards the cost of childcare while they 're-train'.

The Agency says there has never been a better time to return to school because of the improved pay and career prospects on offer.