ABERGAVENNY graduate Lydia Price had given up hope of finding a work after applying for 60 jobs.

But the 21 year-old, who graduates from the University of Newport next month with a history degree, has now found a job at a Vintage Vision- a social enterprise-run vintage clothes shop in Lion Street, Abergavenny, set up to give young women experience and skills.

She said: "I applied for everything and anything since finishing my degree in May but was always told I didn't have the right skills or there was someone better-suited.

"I heard about the job by chance whilst in the shop one day, applied on-line and got the job.

"I started last week and am really looking forward to developing my skills at Vintage Vision. Opportunities like this should be more widely available to young people," she added.

Vintage Vision was founded almost three years ago by a group of mums who wanted to help young people without experience get jobs.

It not only sells donated vintage clothes but also teaches how to fix, sew and remodel them as well as holding workshops at its volunteer-run shops in Abergavenny and Blaenavon.

Trustee and founding member, Amanda Peters says the enterprise was able to employ its first two staff on a full-time basis for six months through an initiative run by the Welsh Government.

The Jobs Growth Wales scheme, launched in April, will create 4,000 jobs a year for young people aged 16 to 24 who have difficulty finding a job. It offers them a six-month post at national minimum wage through Careers Wales.

Miss Price and Eva Gardiner, 22, of Bridgend will be focusing on marketing and recruitment.

Mrs Peters added: "It has provided us with a fantastic opportunity to give two young women jobs the chance to gain new skills needed to get a foot on the ladder and also means we can have a permanent presence in the shops."