Wetherspoon looks to the younger generation as it takes on teenagers

One of Britain's biggest pubs groups with a strong Scottish presence is to create 1,000 jobs for 16- and 17-year-olds in the face of a testing market for school-leavers.

JD Wetherspoon, which has nearly 800 pubs in the UK including about 40 in Scotland, said the current tough employment environment for young people, including many teenagers struggling to get university places, was "at the forefront of our minds" in launching the initiative.The company said the 16- and 17-year-olds would be employed both "front of house" and in the kitchens, delivering food and coffees to customers, tidying up and generally helping with the smooth running of outlets. However, they will not serve alcoholic drinks as that is prohibited by law.