THE number of teenagers in the Barrow area not in education, employment or training has risen over the past year, according to new figures.

The proportion of 16 to 17-year-olds classed as NEETs is at 6.7%, which is higher than the target of 3.7%, said a Cumbria County Council report.

Copeland figure is 5.2% and South Lakeland's is 3.5%. Eden was the lowest at just 2.9%, while Carlisle's rate is close to Barrow at 6.5%.

The statistics from September 2018, means that Barrow's rate is the highest in Cumbria and higher than the national average.

County councillor Ben Shirley told a meeting that it was a "challenge" for the Furness area when there are many opportunities for young people locally.

"It's concerning for me that the number of NEETS is rising when we've got so many opportunities through BAE Systems, the supply chain and the leisure industry," said Cllr Shirley, the Conservative councillor for Dalton North.

Lesley Graham, the public health manager for Barrow, said work was taking place to "ignite the fire" in the bellies of young people.

She said: "I still hark back to 1992 when the shipyard lost a lot of people. We are still paying the price for that in some ways so we need to inspire our young people."

Cllr Anne Burns, the Labour cabinet member for children's services in Cumbria, told the meeting that work was taking place to help those not in employment, education or training across the county.

Cllr Bill McEwan praised the work of the Ormsgill Community hub: "It is doing some fantastic work," said the Labour councillor.

The rate of 16 to 17-year-olds in Barrow who are taking part in employment, education or training is 89%.

It puts the borough ahead of Allerdale and Copeland, but marginally behind South Lakeland, Carlisle and Eden.