A GARGRAVE business owner who offered work experience to a teenager with learning difficulties is urging others to do the same.

Gary Teasdale, who owns GT Valeting and Cleaning Services, Eshton Road, offered Ryan Burns, a pupil at Brooklands School in Skipton, a day's work experience for six weeks.

And he says he was so impressed, he's offered the 18 year old a part time job.

Mr Teasdale, who has twin five year olds, both with autism, said he wanted to get the message across that anyone could be found a job to do.

"These young people need all the help and support they can get to help them into work, there are plenty of businesses in Skipton who could help and give these amazing kids some work experience," he said.

Mr Teasdale's son, Ollie, is also a pupil at Brooklands, and it was there that he first became aware how difficult it was to place students with businesses.

"Our boy Ollie is autistic and also attends Brooklands and our girl Summer is currently being assessed for autism so we are passionate about helping people with special needs have a good chance at working," he said.

He set Ryan off doing the car valeting side of the business, and he took to it with great enthusiasm and impressing both him and his customers.

"He put so much effort into his work and had such a positive attitude, I could not have been more impressed, so I've offered him a part time job," he said.

Following on from his positive experience with Ryan, Mr Teasdale is going to take on another young adult from Outside the Box in Ilkley - a community cafe which supports young adults with learning disabilities.

"We are very excited to be involved, we love to help and give these amazing people a chance to work," he said.