A Cowling teenager has fought massive competition to secure a coveted apprenticeship with the BBC.

Oliver Wilkinson, a 17-year-old pupil at South Craven School, Cross Hills, has been accepted for a broadcast engineer apprenticeship at Media City in Salford Quays.

Thousands of hopefuls across the country had applied for just 28 places.

Oliver, of Martin’s Barn, Hardfield Farm, entered broadcasting three years ago when he went to Cowling-based Drystone Radio for work experience. He continues to volunteer at the station and presents a weekly music programme.

His mother, Lisa Wilkinson, said Oliver applied for the apprenticeship in November and found out he had been accepted on January 22.

“He was absolutely over the moon,” she said. “There were thousands of people who applied and he went for a five-hour interview last December. They said he was the only applicant who had so much experience.

“It’s such a great opportunity. He’ll be getting a wage as well as training.”

She said he would begin in September after he completes his studies at South Craven.

She and Oliver’s grandmother, Joan Tindale, paid tribute to Drystone Radio for helping to make his achievement possible.