A TEESSIDE PR consultancy has become the first in the region to publicly commit to a minimum wage for interns.

Darlington-based Recognition has become one of more than 30 PR agencies across the UK to sign up to a campaign to ensure all interns are paid for their work.

The move follows an initiative by the Public Relations Consultants Association (PRCA) – the professional body that represents UK PR consultancies – and PRWeek, a trade publication for the PR industry.

The PRCA placed a list on its site of all member agencies who commit to paying at least the minimum wage to interns.

Graham Robb, right, senior partner at Recognition, said he was proud the firm was setting an example.

He said internships allowed companies to evaluate the potential of possible employees.

Meanwhile, interns get the opportunity to build their CV and gain hands-on experience in a career sector.