A group of strictly Orthodox yeshiva students in Manchester have started studying computing, auto mechanics and carpentry at a mainstream college to prepare them for employment.

The 16 boys, who attend the Yeshiva Darchei Torah, will also take classes in business studies, design and technology and cookery at Manchester College in addition to their religious education.

A senior figure at the residential yeshiva, who did not wish to be named, explained that the students had been enrolled for afternoon courses at the college because "there were boys leaving school with very few qualifications".

Whether or not the students go on to another yeshiva after turning 18, lessons at the college would ensure that "they won't be on the streets with no qualifications. If they leave us and don't go to a mainstream yeshiva - it means they can get a job.

"They've got proper structure: they have minchah, then at 2pm they're off to the college and done by 5.30pm, so they spend nearly three hours there."