A FORMER pupil of Ermysted's Grammar School in Skipton has landed a job as a budding property professional - at the age of 18.

Jacob Taylor has been taken on as a trainee sales negotiator with estate agent Dacre, Son and Hartley in Skipton, a role in which he will accompany buyers on viewings and help with market appraisals.

The company plans to support him in becoming accredited by the National Federation of Property Professionals, which will see him study for a number of the organisation’s qualifications.

Jacob, who also completed a business course at Craven College, said: "After school and college, I decided I wanted to start work rather than going to university. I’ve always been interested in both property and sales, so estate agency seemed like an obvious career choice."

Outside the office, he is a keen rugby player and says he is enjoying his first year at senior level with Wharfedale RUFC's second team.

Dacre, Son and Hartley's Skipton branch head Tim Usherwood said: "Jacob knows Skipton inside out, and he’s very personable with a can-do attitude, which made him the ideal candidate for this role. He should have a promising career ahead of him.”