A Cowling teenager has beaten off massive competition to secure a coveted job with the BBC.

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

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

Oliver, of Martin’s Barn, Hardfield Farm, first entered the broadcasting world 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 first applied for the apprenticeship in November last year, and found out he had been accepted on January 22.

“Oliver 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 for him – he’ll be getting a wage as well as training.”

She added he will begin the apprenticeship in September this year, after he completes his studies at South Craven.

She and Oliver’s grandmother, Joan Tindale, paid tribute to Drystone Radio for helping make his dream a reality.