Tony Blair is backing plans which aim to offer new opportunities to young people living in remote areas, today's Times reports.

The plans, which have been formulated by rural affairs minister Alun Michael, include measures such as the loan of mopeds to teenagers to help them to go to work or college and school videolinks for children in remote areas so that they can be taught specialist subjects without having to move school.

Forum Response: Countryside Alliance

Richard Burge, chief executive of the Countryside Alliance, told ePolitix.com: "This plan, if implemented, is excellent news for young people in rural areas and we very much support the government's aims which will help young people to live and work in the countryside.

"All too often at the moment young people cannot afford to stay in their home community, there are no jobs there for them and they are forced to seek employment in urban areas - we cannot let this happen.

"The countryside needs to be a viable economic concern and with proper funding and support it can be. This is a useful first step".