DISADVANTAGED students from North Lincolnshire will benefit from a fully-funded degree course following the launch of a new scholarship scheme.

The Keller Foundation plans to invest £8-10,000 a year, for three years, to a needy student from an impoverished background living in northern Lincolnshire.

In addition, the foundation will be sponsoring one place at the Lincolnshire Montessori School – awarding one child from the region aged between 4 and 11 a place at the prestigious school.

Nicky Keller, commercial director of Wrawby-based Education Resourcing, is funding the scheme herself this year.

But in a presentation at the Chamber Of Commerce meeting, she asked businesses to pledge £50 a year to enable more students to benefit in the future.

She said: "My idea for The Keller Foundation is to help youngsters who fit the criteria and are from low household incomes and give them the opportunity to go to university.

"It's the first initiative in the region to be done of its kind.

"I wanted to help the local colleges as well and keep people here so for the chosen student I plan to invest about £8-10,000 a year for three years. It will home in on those who cannot face moving away to study."

Mrs Keller said it was important to give needy students a good start on their career path.

"Hopefully, it's going to be a success," she said.

"It's not hard to do and if we have the support from local businesses we can send not two but five, 10 or even 20 people.

"We want to find the next Jamie Oliver, Kelly Holmes or Lord Alan Sugar, or people who are interested in music or dance.

"We shouldn't let these talents be unrealised if it's about the money.

"We want to work as a region and pull everybody together so I've asked businesses to give £50 a year – if 1,000 businesses lend their support it will give us £50,000 to help more youngsters."

Degree courses are now available to study at both North Lindsey College in Scunthorpe and the Grimsby Institute Of Further And Higher Education. The student who is successful in gaining the scholarship from The Keller Foundation can choose to study at either of these two centres – whichever suits their location.

Hugh Callaway, executive director of marketing and student resources at the Grimsby Institute, said: "It's an excellent initiative for the area.

"It will give students funds that they cannot access. I hope they manage to get other businesses involved and it goes from strength to strength."

Lincolnshire Montessori, which occupies the site of the former Top House Farm and Fleece Inn, offers childcare and education for children aged up to 12.

Sylvia Archer, director of the Lincolnshire Montessori School, added: "It's an amazing opportunity for a child who wouldn't otherwise financially be able to afford to come to a Lincolnshire Montessori."