A SURVEY by the Low Pay Commission shows that the average hourly rate in Lancashire for people of all ages was lower than the national.

The study showed that the county's 16-year-old workers earned an average £2.06 an hour, compared to £2.36 nationally.

And many jobs for this age range paid less than the tax threshold and National Insurance level, which suggests that a high proportion of low-paying jobs are not included in official figures.

The survey also showed that some young people are expected to work extremely long hours for low pay.

In Lancashire the highest number of hours was 46.

Discussing the study at a welfare rights and social inclusion sub-committee meeting, chairman Frank McKenna said: "It is clear from the findings of this survey that there are wide discrepancies across the country as regards to pay and hours worked by 16 and 17 year olds. "There is currently no minimum wage requirement for these young people and it is obvious they need the same kind of protection as adults in the world of work."

County Councillor McKenna added: "There has been no great difficulty in implementing a minimum wage for adults and I see no reason why it cannot be extended to include those under 18.

"I hope that we will soon see the benefits of a national minimum wage that includes the whole of the workforce."

The types of jobs on offer in Lancashire mirrored those nationally. The majority being for office work, followed by hairdressing and skilled work.

But the county had less than the national average of apprenticeship and modern apprenticeship vacancies.