Page last updated at 08:45 GMT, Thursday, 23 April 2009 09:45 UK

Pupils' YouTube appeal for head

Melvich Primary's YouTube advert
The advert has had almost a thousand views

Pupils at a small school on the north coast of Scotland have posted a film on the video sharing website YouTube appealing for a new headteacher.

Children at Melvich Primary in Sutherland lie on the ground to spell the word "help" in the two-minute clip.

Highland Council has advertised twice, unsuccessfully, to find candidates to lead the school, which has 20 pupils and two teachers.

The pupils' film has had almost a thousand views so far.

The biggest town near Melvich is Thurso, a 30-minute drive away. Inverness is an almost three hour drive south.

Highland Council has applauded the children's creative approach in trying to attract a new head.

Rugged landscape

Last November, the BBC Scotland News website reported that the local authority along with Aberdeenshire and the islands struggle to recruit staff to rural and remote locations.

The internet has previously helped another Highlands community in its search for a new doctor.

People in Applecross in Wester Ross set up a dedicated website to publicise the post.

Dr Mark Darbyshire, 34, from Wales, was the successful applicant.

Locals took the action because they thought using traditional methods would not attract enough interest for the surgery.

Sixteen people followed up their enquiry with an application following interest in the position from all over the world.

The website said the job would suit a GP who enjoys the outdoors and was looking to live in a small, friendly community.

It promoted the nearby mountains of Torridon, Achnashellach and Skye.

And it suggested the waters of the Inner Sound of Raasay would be an ideal place for sailing and kayaking.

Applecross, located opposite Skye on the west coast of Scotland, is a rugged landscape of mountains, crofting settlements and moorland

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