YOUNG people in Southampton are being urged to take advantage of a new scheme that will give them the chance to work and study abroad.

Liberal Democrat MEP, Catherine Bearder, is calling on students to sign up to the EU Aid Volunteers scheme that funds placements in communities that have been hit by natural disasters around the world.

The scheme will work with charities such as Save the Children UK, offering volunteers training as well as providing funding for travel, food and accommodation.

In total it is estimated that 10,000 people from across Europe will be given the opportunity to volunteer worldwide in the next seven years.

Catherine said: “This is a unique chance to help around the world and gain valuable training.

“Many aren’t aware of all the opportunities that the EU provides to work and study abroad, so I am trying to raise awareness and get more young people to participate by visiting universities and schools in the region.”

More than 600 students from Southampton’s two universities have received EU funding to study and train abroad in recent years.

Catherine added: “That figure could be much higher if more took advantage of the schemes on offer.

“Liberal Democrats are fighting to keep Britain in Europe so that we can safeguard these opportunities for young people rather than shutting ourselves off from the world.”