Skidz, a charity which trains disadvantaged young people in motor mechanics, has taken its first foray into enterprise, launching a number plate business.

Skidz, which wants to become less reliant on grants and donations, has secured a licence to produce vehicle registration number plates. The charity has formed a new company with European licence plate manufacturer Samar’t, to produce plates for the UK vehicle registration market.

The new business will trade under the name Samar’t Skidz.

Graham Andrew, CEO of Skidz, said: “We believe the number plate industry in the United Kingdom is worth £60m. This exciting new initiative demonstrates that we want to become a charity that is not totally reliant on peoples’ benevolence but one that is prepared to take a business approach to our fundraising.

"Our unique selling point is that we are a charity that is engaging with the motor industry for the benefit of the motor industry.”

Samar’t Skidz will be run by Andrew and Skidz patron Paddy Hopkirk, a rally driving legend, and his son Patrick Hopkirk.

Andrews said: “Our patron Paddy Hopkirk, who is an iconic figure in the motoring world through his rally driving exploits, and Patrick Hopkirk will be utilising their extensive range of contacts to target all the major car producers and dealers.

“There is massive potential and we would hope that within three to four years we can become the UK’s major supplier of number plates with funds being channelled into training the industry’s future motor mechanics.”

Samar’t Skidz has already secured its first two contracts. The company will supply 12,000 registration plates next year for a major vehicle importer and it will also supply plates for a regional dealership.