THE University of York has been chosen to take part in a Government scheme to boost the number of children from less well-off backgrounds who go into higher education.

Managers will be given £60,000 to pay for three or more teachers from local communities which are classed as "deprived" to go back to university.

The teachers will spend one term working on projects to remove the barriers which are preventing poorer youngsters from going on to university.

They will then be asked to report back to local schools and colleges with their ideas.

Higher Education Minister Margaret Hodge said: "The Government's target is that by 2010, 50 per cent of young people enter higher education by the time they are 30.

"But we need to widen participation as well as increase it. We need to work with universities, schools and teachers to succeed, and these fellowships are a good example of how we can join forces.

"Teachers are best placed to know what is preventing their own students from raising their sights and going on to higher education.

"By working with universities, they could help knock down barriers and encourage more pupils to aim higher.

"Universities are already doing good work on widening participation, and I am delighted they are opening up their doors wider to teachers with creative ideas."

The university will be allowed to give awards of up to £20,000 to three or more teachers, of which £1,000 will be for the teacher. The awards will cover cash to enable the school or further education college to purchase supply cover while the teacher is absent on the Excellence Fellowship, and travel and living costs.

The funding will also cover the production of reports on the teachers' experiences.

Ms Hodge said a total of 30 universities across the country had been selected to take part in the scheme.

Updated: 09:14 Friday, March 08, 2002