Charlotte Pratt is far from impressed with the new minimum wage.

"That's really stupid," said the 17-year-old when told it will be introduced at a level of £3 an hour.

"It's incredibly low. It's like going back to Victorian times when people didn't have any money.

"Most of my friends work but I don't know anyone who gets paid less than £3 an hour so I don't think it will affect anyone."

Charlotte, a Swindon College student, works in the Swindon branch of clothes shop River Island, in Regent Street.

She thinks the minimum wage for under 18s should be set higher.

She gets paid £4.50 an hour and works about eight hours a week, which gives her about £180 a month.

"It's hard work but I would fit in more hours if I could," said the Wroughton student, who is studying A levels in art and design and photography.

"I don't get a grant from college so how would I pay for my college stuff if I was on £3 an hour?"

As well as using her wages to pay for materials for her college work Charlotte spends it on going out with her friends.

She is also trying to put some money away for university, where she hopes to study fashion.

Having been warned that course fees and accommodation could cost her dearly, she has decided to take a year out after her A levels to save.

By the time she is ready to start studying in higher education she should be eligible for the minimum wage's development rate at £3.80 an hour.