An ambitious project to tackle youth unemployment in Norwich is launching a fresh drive to get more businesses in the city involved.

Norwich for Jobs, which aims to help 18 to 24-year-olds on employment benefits into work, is coming to the end of its second phase, which saw it focus on supporting 'harder to help' young people with more complex needs.

In its third phase, anticipated to run for a year, the steering group wants to enlist more businesses to support the project and offer activities and opportunities to young people, while encouraging its existing supporters to get more involved.

Companies including M&S, Serco, Howes Percival and Bidwells are among the 180 firms already actively involved with the project.

Norwich North MP Chloe Smith, who chairs the steering group, said: 'The Norwich for Jobs team goes from strength to strength and everyone is really fired up about continuing to hit new goals.

'Our next focus will be to renew our invitation to the business community to get involved over the coming months. The project is asking for more Norwich firms to sign up so we can achieve even more.

'Any business that is looking for fresh talent, looking to give a local young person a chance, or looking to do something a bit different, should get in touch with the team.'

During its monthly meeting on Friday group member Justin Harris, from building materials firm Tarmac, laid out proposals to bring more employers on board and get them more engaged with the young people on the project including a new job club and defined 'road maps' for both parties.

His proposals suggested a return to the foundations of the project's first phase – to work with local employers and unemployed young people – laid down after its launch in 2013.

The group runs a business accreditation scheme, which awards employers bronze, silver or gold standard relative to the amount of activities they have provided for young people.

Project leader Tom Adams told the meeting there are currently 2,417 18 to 24-year-olds in Norwich receiving employment-related benefits (jobseeker's allowance, employment support allowance, universal credit or income support).