FAMOUS people from Keighley’s past and present will help inspire today’s local young people to find jobs or training.

Oscar-winning screenwriter Simon Beaufoy, Star Wars actor Peter Mayhew and TV weatherman Paul Hudson have been enlisted.

The ‘NEET Free Keighley’ campaign will also focus on local heroes like historian Ian Dewhirst, BBC weather presenter Paul Hudson and politicians Ann Cryer, Kris Hopkins and Javaid Akhtar.

Keighley Talent campaign will also draw on the town’s past, with figures like war poet Gordon Bottomley, professional boxer Percy Vear and renowned 1970s MP Bob Cryer.

Keighley Talent will run throughout this month and will be aimed at the town’s 160 16 to 19-year-olds who are not in education, employment or training (NEET).

Social media will be used to tell the unemployed teenagers about a different person each day, who has been successful in sport, television, media, art or business.

Organisations from Keighley’s voluntary sector have teamed up with Bradford Council and Prospects, the organisation which delivers Connexions information and careers advice, to try the new approach to reducing the number of NEETs.

The aim is to encourage a new generation of talent and getting them into employment and training, by ensuring their needs are quickly identified and they receive the right support.

Support workers can then help the young people get getting the personal and employability skills they need to move ahead in the job market.

The organisations came together to try the new approach in areas where the number of NEETs is high. In Keighley figure is 10 per cent of 16 to 18 year olds.

Current approaches include assertive outreach methods by Connexions personal advisers, community centre activities and support, and drop-in sessions at existing projects and youth groups.

Jenny Cryer, senior operations director for Prospects, said the intention was to create ‘NEET Free Keighley’ by working together and asking the people and businesses of Keighley to help.

Cllr Susan Hinchcliffe, Bradford Council’s portfolio Holder for Education, Skills and Culture, said: “We want all our young people to make the most of the opportunities that are open to them.

“We’re taking a joined up approach so we can pool expertise and resources and focus on what works.”

Anna Shepherd, development manager with the Joint Activities and Motor Education Services (JAMES), said: “There is so much going on in th