A Craven man has received a scholarship to encourage him to pursue a career in the poultry industry.

The British Poultry Council Scholarship, exclusive to Harper Adams University in Shropshire, benefits students by £3,500 per year for up to two academic years.

It also provides a guaranteed paid placement with a sponsoring company for the sandwich year that all Harper Adams students complete as part of their degree programmes.

Tom Heseltine, 22, from Skipton, was selected as a Faccenda scholar in 2012 and spent the 2012/13 academic year working within three different divisions of the company, before returning to Harper Adams to complete his degree.

After receiving his award, the former Ermysted’s Grammar School pupil, who is studying agriculture, said: “The scholarship has been hugely beneficial for my studies, allowing me to purchase extra academic books as well as participate in study trips.”