Young people across Bolton are being urged to consider a career in painting and decorating to plug a skills gap in the industry.

New figures from The Painting and Decorating Association (PDA) predicts that 2,000 people are needed to fill roles in the industry over the next five years.

In a bid to address the shortfall, the PDA is looking at ways to make the industry seem more appealing to youngsters, including raising awareness of competitions it organises for apprentices at a regional and national level.

Bernard Dykes, chairman of the PDA's training and education committee, said: "It is difficult to get youngsters into the industry of the right calibre.

"So many young people are coming out of university to take up white-collar jobs and then struggle to find work. We hope to appeal to youngsters considering higher education and outline the rewards of working in the trade."