Two in three young deaf people would hide their deafness on a job application, according to new research by a local campaigner.

Ella Pennycott, 15, from Burnham-on-Crouch found the facts while interviewing young deaf people for the National Deaf Children's Society's new report, Deaf Works Everywhere.

Ella who is deaf herself, was part of a team of 19 deaf Young Inspectors, who travelled the UK interviewing more than 100 deaf pupils about their experience of careers advice at school or college.

Ella said: "I wanted to work on this report because it’s really important to me that deaf young people don't feel limited by misunderstandings about the careers available to them.

"The Deaf Works Everywhere campaign aims to show them from the off that even jobs they may think are out-of-reach are actually very much available to them.

"Deaf people can do anything hearing people can do and it’s vital that they aim just as high. The message to all of them is know what you want, fight for the support you need and don’t be put off by anyone who says you can’t do it."

Almost half of the people interviewed said they aren't being supported when thinking about choices for their future.

Nine in ten weren't aware of Access to Work, the UK Government-funded grant for disabled people to spend on support at work like accessible equipment, technology or interpreters.

Deaf people are already twice as likely to be out of work as hearing people, according to the Equality and Human Rights Commission.

One interviewee said :" I went to a careers fair and someone was there from the police. They said: 'You are deaf, you cannot work for us', but my dad is deaf and he works for the police."

Another said: "I really want to be a watchmaker. My teacher told me that people would not understand me so I couldn’t do that job."

In response to the findings, the charity is now calling on local authorities, schools, colleges and Governments across the UK to work together to ensure that deaf young people receive the specialist careers advice they need.