A disabled teenager is building himself a new career thanks to a Bradford business.

Mark Smith, 18, who suffers from a speech impairment, has become a joinery apprentice with Christopher Pratts Contract Limited, which is based on Thornton Road.

He landed the job after impressing bosses during a work placement from the Bradford Council-run Work Able service which aims to get disabled people into work and training.

Mark, of Bolton Woods, said he was delighted to have secured the new post and said he was looking forward to working alongside his new colleagues.

Mark's woodwork and joinery skills were first spotted at Work Able's Eccleshill horticultural training centre and Christopher Pratts Contracts encouraged his training by providing him with a tool kit and work bench.

Maurice Jones, a bench hand and joiner who has been working alongside Mark, said he had quickly picked up the skills of his new job.

"He has done very well. He is really keen to learn and he is at a good company for getting good support. He has been working with me all the time and his confidence has really improved," Maurice said.

He has helped Mark to overcome the restraints of his disability, known as Laudau Kleffner Syndrome.

"We manage to communicate and he always asks if he doesn't understand something. He just wants to be one of the lads, with his own bench and his own set of drawings to work from."

Paul Nurse, a manager at the firm, said the job had boosted Mark's self-confidence.

"Mark has shown great application and enthusiasm and we are delighted that he is joining the company full-time," he said.

"Work Able has provided a first class service including providing basic sign language material to help us train Mark in the job."

Dave Smith, Work Able manager, said the service enjoyed a high level of success in finding work for people with disabilities.

Its Lifeskills programme, which Mark took part in, includes numeracy and literary training, job search support, as well as work experience placements.

"Mark learned very well and I think that was demonstrated while he was on his work placement," he said. "We encourage all of our learners to go on placements like this because, if it doesn't lead to a job, then it at least gives them some real experience of work."

There are currently 30 trainees taking part in the programme, which gives young people aged 16 to 25 the skills and experience needed to move into jobs.

Christopher Pratts Contracts, which has clients including Long Tall Sally, Damart and Tote, has seen its turnover treble to £3 million in the last few years.